TOGETHER FOR GREEN PUBLIC PROCUREMENT GREEN GROWTH THE NORDIC WAY Green growth is a key priority for Nordic co-operation in the coming years. “The Nordic Region – leading in green growth” is the Nordic Prime Ministers’ shared green growth initiative under the auspices of the Nordic Council of Ministers. The green growth initiative is a vision based on the joint utilization of Nordic strengths in a number of areas including green public procurement. The projects described here are part of this effort, involving the following Councils of Ministers: Education & Research Trade, Environment, Energy. See more at www.norden.org/greengrowth or read the web magazine “Green Growth the Nordic Way” at www.nordicway.org
The Nordic Prime Ministers have commissioned the Council of Ministers for Trade, Energy and Regional Policy to: •
Initiate, in close collaboration with the Ministers for the Environment and Energy, a project aimed at identifying areas and product groups with the most effective green purchasing standards relative to other instruments, and, in a subsequent phase, look into the possibility of coordinating green procurement standards across the Nordic region. Where green business models can usefully supplement labelling schemes, these can also be incorporated in the project.
AIM AND OUTCOME The Nordic Committees of Senior Officials for Trade and Environment, respectively, conducted a joint feasibility study in 2012 as the basis for detailed planning of a major project. The project will involve mapping areas and product groups where existing green public procurement standards have proved most effective in comparison with other measures in the area. It will include an assessment of the feasibility of coordinating green procurement standards at the Nordic level. The results will be translated into concrete initiatives.
On the basis of the cooperation initiatives chosen for implementation, it is proposed that a high-level Nordic working group composed of relevant representatives will be set up to secure support for and ensure ownership of the results, and to provide input for policy proposals. A closing conference will be held to officially announce and communicate the findings of the project. TIME LINE A tendering procedure for implementation of the main project is now being drawn up in cooperation with Nordic Innovation. A sum of DKK 5 million has been allocated for the project, which is expected to begin in 2014. Its findings are to be reported to the Prime Ministers not later than the end of 2015. PARTNERS Nordic Innovation CONTACT Kenneth Ekberg, Nordic Council of Ministers: ke@norden.org Satu Reijonen, Nordic Council of Ministers: sare@norden.org Kristian Henriksen, Nordic Council of Ministers: krhe@norden.org
GREEN GROWTH THE NORDIC WAY “The Nordic Region – leading in green growth” is the Nordic Prime Ministers’ shared green growth initiative under the auspices of the Nordic Council of Ministers. Green growth is a key priority for Nordic co-operation in the next few years and Nordic partnerships in this field has the potential to create a larger regional market, give a political lead in the EU, improve joint infrastructures and provide critical mass for future developments. The Nordic Prime Ministers’ green growth initiative is a vision based on the joint utilization of Nordic strengths in a number of areas including: • Energy efficiency and climate • Waste treatment and food waste • Sustainable building and ecodesign • Investment in innovation and research • Green public procurement and green investments This exhibition highlights aims and results from the following projects under “The Nordic Region – leading in green growth”: 1. Developing Nordic test centres for green solutions 2. Working together on education, training and research for green growth 3. Promoting flexible consumption of electricity 4. Working together on green-technology norms and standards 5. Working together on green procurement in the public sector 6. Developing techniques and methods for waste treatment 7. Promoting the integration of environmental and climate considerations into development aid 8. Co-ordinating and improving funding for green investment and companies. You can read articles on the individual projects at www.nordicway.org More info at norden.org/greengrowth
THE NORDIC REGION – leading in green growth