Periodic Reporting for period 2 - SPP Regions (SPP Regions)
Reporting period: 2016-10-01 to 2018-03-31
The SPP Regions project promoted the creation of regional networks of municipalities collaborating on the implementation of sustainable procurement - and encouraged networking and best practice exchange at the European level through the Procura+ Network.
Exchange of good practice, ideas, and problem solving has proved critical in the implementation of sustainable procurement across Europe. Networking at the local or regional level has an especially important function as it allows more regular interaction between participants operating typically on the same market, with similar legal and policy frameworks, and without the barriers of significant travel or language hindering co-operation. In addition, regional collaboration allows for collaboration in procurement activities, increasing market influence and helping to develop a regional supply base for sustainable solutions.
Within SPP Regions, networking at the regional level was complemented with networking and best practice exchange at the European level through the redeveloped Procura+ European Sustainable Procurement Network - aiming to ensure that good ideas, and market knowledge are shared across the continent. Exchange was focused on four key topics, vital to effective sustainable procurement implementation:
- Life cycle costing
- Market engagement
- Circular procurement
- Performance/output based specifications
Exchange of good practice, ideas, and problem solving has proved critical in the implementation of sustainable procurement across Europe. Networking at the local or regional level has an especially important function as it allows more regular interaction between participants operating typically on the same market, with similar legal and policy frameworks, and without the barriers of significant travel or language hindering co-operation. In addition, regional collaboration allows for collaboration in procurement activities, increasing market influence and helping to develop a regional supply base for sustainable solutions.
Within SPP Regions, networking at the regional level was complemented with networking and best practice exchange at the European level through the redeveloped Procura+ European Sustainable Procurement Network - aiming to ensure that good ideas, and market knowledge are shared across the continent. Exchange was focused on four key topics, vital to effective sustainable procurement implementation:
- Life cycle costing
- Market engagement
- Circular procurement
- Performance/output based specifications
The project saw the creation of four new regional networks – in Southwest England, the Metropolitan Region of Rotterdam and The Hague, Bulgaria, and the Copenhagen region, with detailed implementation plans approved by the network participants. The project also saw expansion plans developed and implemented in three existing networks - A.P.E Piemonte, Reseau Grand Ouest in France, and Xarxa in Barcelona Province. Activities varied between the networks, but all included capacity building actions, and the development of eco-innovative tenders. Two of the networks (Metropolitan Region of Rotterdam and The Hague, and the Copenhagen Region) will merge into other networks following the end of the project - the other five networks will continue to operate. Implementation plans for 9 further regional networks in Italy, Spain, Finland and the UK have also been collected over the course of the project.
The seven networks published a total of 39 eco-innovative tenders over the course of the project, estimated to lead to nearly 400,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions savings per year, and 1,423 GWh/year primary energy savings, and 1,016 GW new renewable energy generating capacity. Each tender was written up as a tender model, aimed at providing the information necessary to allow other authorities to replicate the approach.
The project also saw the redevelopment and relaunch of the Procura+ European Sustainable Procurement Network, with two Seminars in Rome (2016) and Oslo (2018), as well as the launch of the Procura+ Awards - rewarding sustainability and innovation in procurement.
Finally, a series of best practice reports were produced on the topics of market engagement, life cycle costing, performance/output based specifications and circular procurement.
The seven networks published a total of 39 eco-innovative tenders over the course of the project, estimated to lead to nearly 400,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions savings per year, and 1,423 GWh/year primary energy savings, and 1,016 GW new renewable energy generating capacity. Each tender was written up as a tender model, aimed at providing the information necessary to allow other authorities to replicate the approach.
The project also saw the redevelopment and relaunch of the Procura+ European Sustainable Procurement Network, with two Seminars in Rome (2016) and Oslo (2018), as well as the launch of the Procura+ Awards - rewarding sustainability and innovation in procurement.
Finally, a series of best practice reports were produced on the topics of market engagement, life cycle costing, performance/output based specifications and circular procurement.
The project's initial targets of achieving primary energy savings of 54.3 GWh/year, and trigger the production of 45 GWh/year of renewable energy through the eco-innovative tenders to be published by the regional networks have been well exceeded - with final figures of 1,423 GWh/year PE savings, and triggering 1,016 GWh of renewable energy. These tenders have been carefully documented in a series of tender models, designed to allow the replication of the eco-innovative approach by other authorities across the EU.
Overall, 278 public authorities have demonstrated a commitment to sustainable procurement implementation through the networks in SPP Regions, and over 4,200 people have participated in the capacity building activities carried out.
The best practice reports on market engagement, life cycle costing, performance/output based specifications and circular procurement have proven highly valued by European public authorities and widely circulated.
Overall, 278 public authorities have demonstrated a commitment to sustainable procurement implementation through the networks in SPP Regions, and over 4,200 people have participated in the capacity building activities carried out.
The best practice reports on market engagement, life cycle costing, performance/output based specifications and circular procurement have proven highly valued by European public authorities and widely circulated.