Green Public Procurement: An Overview of Implementation, Measurement and Reporting Systems in the European Construction Sector

Abstract

The European Commission has historically advocated for green public procurement (GPP) as a voluntary mechanism; however, recent initiatives suggest a transition towards obligatory measures. In addition, documents from EC Committees and the European Parliament, along with reports from the OECD and scholarly articles, recommend the implementation of mandatory GPP. This is due to the limited effectiveness of voluntary measures in integrating sustainability into procurement decision making. Since the beginning of the 21st century, GPP has developed towards sustainable and circular procurement. Currently, Sustainable Public Procurement (SPP) is also recognised as a catalyst for innovation. However, the evaluation and analysis of the performance and implications of the GPP / SPP criteria remain a complex challenge. Over the past decade, mandatory sector-specific regulations have been adopted at the national level among European states, including Hungary. For the implementation of mandatory regulations, effective policies and frameworks and comprehensive analysis of detailed procurement information are needed. In addition, assessments of the lifecycle costs and environmental impacts of the goods and services purchased are essential. This research entails a comprehensive review of contemporary findings within the scientific literature. Provides a comparative analysis of the various implementation, measurement, and reporting systems of GPP across member states, and attempts to propose potential solutions for the effective spread of GPP.