Sustainable procurement – the goal for Government

Government’s sustainable procurement policy aims to:

• Ensure long term cost effectivness;
• Reduce waste, carbon emissions, energy and water consumption and encourage recycling and reuse in line with targets for the Central Government Estate;
• Protect biodiversity;
• Stop the buying of products, such as timber and timber products from unsustainable or illegal sources;
• Support fair and sustainable economic growth.

By achieving these four things, we will not only protect natural resources and tackle climate change, but also reduce our operating costs as we do so.

Delivering value for money

The goal for all Government procurement is value for money – securing the best mix of quality and effectiveness for the least outlay over the life of the goods or services bought. Sustainable procurement is viewed as a fundamental part of delivering value for money, particularly as it encourages a focus on whole-life costs.

See also

• The Cabinet Office leads on delivering sustainable procurement across government. Find out more about the work of the Cabinet Office.