Local government sustainable procurement strategy

Local government spends more than £40 billion each year undertaking capital projects and buying in goods and services. Increasingly, we are making these spending decisions in a sustainable way and many local authorities are adopting “green” procurement policies. The sustainable procurement strategy takes our commitment a significant step forward, outlining local government’s commitment to make its spending decisions in a way that achieves both value for money on a whole life cycle basis, and the wider economic, social and environmental benefits. Many local authorities are leading the way in ensuring that natural resources are used efficiently, waste is avoided and that we protect our biodiversity. Our spending decisions are an important instrument in tackling climate change both by reducing carbon emissions and ensuring that our buildings and infrastructure are resilient to climate change. ‘Securing the Future’ - the UK Sustainable Development Strategy, and our response, highlight how making the right choices now will contribute both to our standard of living and our quality of life. The strategy sets out how we can do more. This document is available to download only.