City looking at increased ‘green spend’ for bigger savings

The review will form part of the City’s commitment to increasingly include green procurement criteria into its bid specifications and evaluation for key products and services in an effort to drive improved resource efficiency and environmental sustainability and to unlock the potential that the green economy holds. Green procurement refers to how money is spent in a way that promotes resource efficiency, environmental sustainability and the green economy.

‘Given its significant purchasing power, the public sector has a key role to play in driving the market for environmentally sustainable products and, consequently, promoting more sustainable consumption and production for a better future,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Energy, Environmental and Spatial Planning, Councillor Johan van der Merwe.

During the Local Governments for Sustainability World Congress (ICLEI) held in Seoul, Korea in April, a Global Lead Cities Network on Sustainable Public Procurement (SPP) was established. The City will be taking an active international leadership role in this important field.

‘Green procurement means amending our procurement system with the intent to optimise the City’s resource efficiency and to promote environmental sustainability while using our public market power to bring about environmental and social benefits locally. It focuses on achieving value for money across the entire value chain and promotes growth in the green economy in Cape Town.

‘The commitment by the City to green procurement as part of its Supply Chain Management will have long lasting positive effects on our local environment as well as contributing to a more sustainable global environment,’ said Councillor Van der Merwe.