Sustainability Commission - Theme Public Procurement

Important results from the project

The Sustainability Commission has, by following a concrete case in the procurement process, investigated what prevents, or facilitates, municipalities from using procurement as instruments for more sustainable solutions. Lack of time and knowledge is the most common obstacle, but also vague political guidance and varying interest from the political leadership. More focus should be put on analysing needs and supplier dialogue in the early stages, as well as greater acceptance for functional procurement to encourage innovative solutions.

Expected long term effects

Our study shows that there is a need to highlight the strategic function of public procurement. It requires more focus on the process and less focus on the specific requirements in a request documentation.

Approach and implementation

Phase 1 - identify appropriate case to study, supplement the Commission with relevant expertise and identify municipalities to interview. Phase 2 - reading on circular economy, procurement and textiles environmental impact. Phase 3 - interview study and analysis The challenge has been to limit the question itself to a manageable and universally applicable case. We think we succeeded in finding an area where there is ongoing development at both international as well as national level and which is also universally valid.