Sustainable public might be norm-establishing for private consumers Sustainable public procurement have the possibility to establish norms for the private sector as well as for society at large, thereby affecting the market. Through developing a sustainable public procurement strategy, communicate its initiative and result, procuring organisations can be able to show that effects like this is possible and might lead to positive results. Sustainable public procurement might increase awareness of environmental issues Sustainable public procurement might also increase awareness of environmental issues. This might be for example by identifying the environmental impact from certain products/services during its life-cycle and highlight benefits resulting from environmentally friendly alternatives. For example organically produced food is more likely to increase awareness among consumers and suppliers. Social benefits Sustainable public procurement might contribute to social sustainability on a national as well as an international level Social requirements are very relevant for a sustainable public procurement.
Nationally it might lead to an improved labour market through requirements on employment and social integration. Public procurement might also improve situations abroad, especially concerning production a third country, through requirements on working conditions. Sustainable public procurement might lead to increased equality Through social requirements in public procurement one can make sure that the public sector acquire goods and services produced ethically through using requirements on non-discrimination between sexes or differences in ethnic and/or cultural background. Economic benefits Sustainable public procurement might save both money and resources when life-cycle costing is considered Sustainable public procurement might lead to savings for both procuring entities and for society at large if one applies a life-cycle costing mindset. When including all costs emerging during a product/service’s life cycle (for example operation and maintenance costs) and not only looking at purchasing price, one can reduce the total cost.
One example for this is procuring energy efficient IT where money can be saved both through lower energy usage and by simplifying reuse/recycling at end of life. Goods and services with better efficiency often have a higher purchase price but will generally allow for the organisation to save money I the long run. Sustainable public procurement might lead to innovation Sustainable procurement of goods and services is, in contrast to innovation procurement, not a driving force for innovation. However, it might give signals to the market on where there is a need for new solutions, which in turn might provide incentive for developing new goods and services.
Applying sustainability to the public procurement process might lead to an important incentive for the industry to develop “green” technology and goods. Sustainable public procurement might contribute to
