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The GPP 2020 project aims to considerably increase awareness of green public procurement across Europe in order to help ensure the EU’s 2020 goals are reached: a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, a 20% increase in the share of renewable energy and a 20% increase in energy efficiency.
As the name suggests, green public tenders focus on both reducing energy consumption and cutting carbon emis-sions. Special software has been created to help local au-thorities implement such tenders and training courses are also available to teach users about the software’s different tools. Initial calculations show the decision-makers and procurers what savings can be achieved with an environ-mentally friendly tender. Thanks to this project, more than 100 low-carbon tenders have already been implemented in the eight participating countries – all of which have had an immediate impact: carbon emissions have been reduced by 922,000 tonnes and energy consumption by 1,800 MWh.
The GPP 2020 project has made it very clear that this is a simple way for both central and local government to lead by example. They can choose to promote efforts to protect the environment and curb climate change without having to depend on laws or on industry having to undergo change. When it comes to achieving the EU’s 2020 goals, the most important feature of a public tender must no longer be the price.
100 low-carbon tenders have already been implemented, reducing CO2 emissions by 922,000 tonnes.
By setting clear requirements (such as to what extent carbon emissions and/or energy consumption should be cut), local authorities can send a clear signal and provide industry with an incentive to run a low-carbon busi-ness without having to draw up new rules and regulations. These principles have not yet been taken up by all member states, but – as far as the recycling sector is concerned – they are something that every local authority should strive towards.