Public procurement refers to the design, award and management of contracts, suppliers and supply chains by public bodies. Sustainable procurement means making sure that the products and services we buy are as sustainable as possible, with the lowest environmental impact and most positive social results.
Procurement has a key role to play in supporting sustainable economic growth in Scotland. Whether we are buying goods, works or services, the public sector can use their considerable spending power to help improve our economy, society, and environment. Although Scotland’s statutory emissions reduction targets are based on emissions from sources located here in Scotland, our wider carbon footprint associated with the goods and services we import is also very important. At some £14 billion annual spend, Scotland's public sector procurement budget can go a considerable way to meeting net zero targets and delivering a just and equitable transition.
The manufacture and development of products and materials can involve the generation of significant GHG emissions, this is referred to as their embodied carbon. Public procurement policy should create a culture that supports a circular economy and promotes strategic decisions on ‘whether’, ‘what’, ‘how’, ‘how much’ organisations buy and end of life/reuse options, as detailed in the Scottish Policy Procurement Note 3/2022. Bidders and suppliers should be asked to provide low carbon goods and services, and to deliver circular solutions.
