At the recent GPP Experts Group Meeting in Bangkok in March 2024, organized by SWITCH-Asia, a stark reality was brought to light by Sanjay Kumar: Sustainable/Green Public Procurement (S/GPP), while widely regarded as a transformative tool, has yet to live up to its full potential. Despite the growing buzz around S/GPP, the reality remains that procurement leaders are still hesitant to prioritize sustainability over the lowest price. The result? Progress that barely scratches the surface of what could be a game-changing force for sustainability.
Participants at the meeting emphasized that current efforts are too narrow and cautious. Trillion-dollar government expenditures hold immense potential to drive sustainability, yet the focus remains confined to minor commodities, limiting S/GPP’s broader impact.
The meeting called for a paradigm shift in approach, cantered on the SSI Strategy—Scale, Scope, and Impact:
– Scale: S/GPP must move from a niche effort to a central strategy for channeling green investment and transforming markets.
– Scope: Procurement should encompass all goods, services, and works at every level of government—national, provincial, and municipal.
– Impact: Efforts must create meaningful, large-scale change that fosters environmental, social, and economic resilience and innovation.
The call to action is clear: S/GPP should no longer be the exception but the norm, driving not just environmental sustainability but also economic resilience and social inclusion. The time for half-measures is over—bold strides are needed to turn this vision into reality. Are you ready for this transformative journey?
