Procurement

As important purchasers of goods and services, the local authorities of the Helsinki Region are in a position to practise responsible procurement and to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions by buying sustainably. The Julia 2030 project seeks to create competitive tendering instruments that will enable consideration of reduced carbon emissions as a factor at all stages of public procurement.

Julia 2030 is investigating suitable carbon dioxide emission calculators for procurement and competitive tendering. Calculators and methods for using them will be developed for the products and services that have the greatest impact on emissions. The energy efficiency of procured products is one serviceable candidate indicator of carbon dioxide emissions. Energy-efficient procurement can also be promoted through R&D targeting innovative products and services that reduce carbon emissions.

Julia 2030 is also preparing common guidelines for competitive tendering of public procurement. The general procurement guidelines that have already been prepared are available on the Julia 2030 website. These guidelines explain how diverse environmental perspectives can be applied at various stages of the procurement procedure. More detailed competitive tendering instructions for procurement will be formulated during 2011, examining environmental conditions imposed on procured products and bidders from the perspective of legislation.