The Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government today launched Green Procurement Guidance for the public sector at the Environment Ireland conference.

The guidance was prepared by the EPA in collaboration with a number of State Agencies and Government Departments. It is a practical resource tool designed to assist procurers to build green criteria into public tenders and a deliverable under the Government's National Action Plan for Jobs.

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Procurement across all Government Departments and Agencies accounts for 10% to 12% of Ireland's GDP (approx. €14bn in 2011). Including sustainable and green practices in public procurement can drive significant behavioural change as well as the expansion of markets for green products and services. Green procurement allows public bodies to influence the marketplace in a positive way, driving demand for secondary resources and incentivising job creation in the green economy.

Speaking at the launch, Dara Lynott, EPA Deputy Director General, said: "Through its purchasing activities, the public sector can take the lead in sustainable consumption and production. Green Public Procurement is an essential tool in incentivising Irish businesses to adopt more sustainable business practices and in doing so differentiating themselves in the marketplace."

(CD/JP)