Principles
- For procurement, sustainability refers to a capacity for development that can be sustained into the future. Officials should employ sustainable practices when undertaking procurement, such as promoting reduced energy consumption and minimising waste where possible.
- Value for money is the core principle underpinning Australian Government Procurement. In conducting a procurement, officials must take into account all relevant costs and benefits over the entire life of the procurement. Sustainability should be considered as part of this total cost assessment.
- Designing sustainable approaches improves the value for money achieved by the procurement and introduces greater innovation in designing and implementing procurements.
- Sustainable procurement practices can be demonstrated by:
- including strategies that reduce demand or unnecessary consumption and end-of-life disposal;
- considering future sustainability issues and policies in the planning process (such as higher energy costs and energy intensity targets);
- encouraging sustainable solutions and innovation in tenders; and
- measuring and improving sustainability throughout the life of the procurement.
Practice
- Entities may have their own sustainability requirements that should be considered.
- Where appropriate, officials should consider environmental factors and efficiency targets when defining a procurement such as:
- energy consumption;
- Greenhouse Gas emissions;
- reduction of waste;
- use of recyled products;
- reduction of hazardous substances (RoHS);
- packaging; and
- end-of-life recycling.
Further Information
- Further information on sustainability can be found at Department of the Environment and Energy