The Government is back pedalling when it comes to overall Green Public Procurement, according to new Environmental Protection Agency figures.
In its second report on the issue, the environment watchdog found green criteria is missing from 76 per cent of Government contracts worth over €25,000.
And that just 10 per cent of government spending included GPP criterion in 2021.
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Ireland’s EPA was given the responsibility of measuring and reporting on GPP in the 2019 Climate Action Plan.
The aim was to encourage public authorities to source goods, services or works that have a reduced environmental impact throughout their life cycle compared to goods, services and works with the same primary function that would otherwise be procured.
But the 2021 report suggests that rather than improving, the government has gone backwards as 26 per cent of 2020 contracts reportedly incorporated GPP.
EPA director general, Laura Burke, said: "It is disappointing there has been a low level of implementation of Green Public Procurement in Government Departments in 2021, even lower than that reported in 2020.
"This is a missed opportunity for Government Departments to purchase more resource efficient and less polluting goods, services and works.
"The public sector must play a leadership role.
"Green Public Procurement sends a powerful signal to the marketplace that Ireland’s Government sector is committed to reducing emissions and protecting our environment while saving money over the full lifecycle of goods and services."
According to figures provided by the state’s 18 departments, GPP was in just 8 per cent of the 100 contracts handed out by the Department for Agriculture, 2 per cent for foreign affairs and 4 per cent for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
Green Party-led departments performed markedly better, with 79 per cent of Environment, Climate and Communications deals including GPP and 1,005 for Transport.
The Department for Rural & Community Development also performed well (97 per cent) under Fine Gael Minister Heather Humphreys.
The EPA also found there was no GPP implementation in the priority sectors of food/catering, heating equipment, textile products/ services and lighting.
Its latest report recommends:
- Assigning senior level resources with responsibility to ensure GPP is incorporated into procurement processes
- Updating the Corporate Procurement Plan to include GPP
- Ensuring relevant staff receive GPP training and are aware of the available guidance and resources
- Ensuring there are tracking systems to monitor and report on GPP
- Ensuring GPP data is published in Government Department Annual Reports
The watchdog is now calling on Government departments to place an urgent focus on Green Public Procurement.
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