SMALL ORGANIZATIONS

Companies and other organizations – including NGOs – are producers but also major buyers of goods and services, and can direct their purchasing power to move markets towards more climate-friendly products. A growing number of companies, universities, government departments and other groups
now have formal purchasing policies that encourage or sometimes require staff responsible for spending decisions to choose the greener options avail-

Green procurement means a conscious buying policy based on ecological principles, where fi nancial aspects alone do not determine the choice of one product over another, or where a contract is given not to the lowest bidder but to the one with the least impact on the environment. Higher purchasing prices are in many cases compensated by lower operating costs. Many city and business administrations have turned to green procurement policies in the process of introducing sustainable management systems. Public procurement accounts for 16 per cent of EU GDP, so greening public procurement can become a powerful economic driver for environmental technologies. A guide to green procurement for public authorities is available in 22 languages from the EU: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/gpp/ guideline_en.htm. Their recommendations are:
-Purchase green products (recycled, refurbished, or reconditioned products that are competitive in price, performance and quality with new ones); rent or lease equipment instead of buying.
-Pursue electricity/energy from renewable sources – checking with energy-supplying companies for “green energy” arrangements.
-Green company fl eet – purchase or lease vehicles with the highest possible fuel economy, or that use alternative sources of energy like electricity, fuel cells or hybrids.

able. Engaging in green procurement means matching conventional performance requirements with environmental ones. This often requires finding new vendors. Some climate-neutral products and services cost more than their conventional counterparts. Using them will probably involve rethinking ingrained habits. But the potential gains are often longer lifetimes and lower running costs.

112 KICK THE HABIT THE CYCLE – REDUCE