Green Public Procurement (GPP) is a process whereby public authorities seek to procure goods, services and works with a reduced environmental impact throughout their life-cycle when compared to goods, services and works with the same primary function that would otherwise be procured.

Like any other economic activity, Government purchasing decisions bear consequences on the environment. Public procurement, which represents a significant proportion of Malta's GDP, has its environmental footprint. The negative aspects of this footprint, such as those associated with materials and resources use and the resulting waste should be reduced, whilst the positive aspects must be promoted.

This aim can be achieved with the help of GPP, which is an instrument designed to promote environmentally-positive procurement practices. Green public procurement is a win-win tool, which leverages economic and environmental objectives. On the one hand, it enables the public sector to obtain the best value for money and procure low-carbon, environmentally-friendly goods, works and services. It therefore represents an efficient use of public finances and promotes environmental improvement. On the other hand, GPP represents a business opportunity for the suppliers of goods and services, rapidly pushing the boundaries of the growing market for environmentally-positive products and services.

In 2022, the then Ministry for Environment, Climate and Planning (MECP) published the second National Action Plan on Green Public Procurement 2022-2027. Building on the success achieved in the first National Action Plan, the second GPP Action Plan aims to progressively increase the share of government’s procurement in greener products and services to 90% – a target which albeit not set by the European Commission, will drive action on the ground, promoting sustainable consumption and production.

The Plan sets out targets for seventeen product and service groups, fourteen of which are of a mandatory status. The 2nd National Action Plan also introduced nine new initiatives in relation to public procurement procedures to more effectively address the ambitious targets envisioned for GPP in Malta. In contrast to the 1st National Action Plan, the 2nd National Action Plan is enforcing the greening of quotations (with the value of €5,000 and above) in any form subject to provisions of GPP and its compliance. More information on the GPP NAP and its criteria can be found from this link.

 

For any queries related to GPP please contact the GPP Helpdesk: gpp@gov.mt