6. Environmental Issues
Note: This section is pending revision and updating to take account of the development of sustainable procurement policy being led by the Ministry of Economic Development, in collaboration with the Ministry for the Environment.5 For up-to-date details of the following and other related programmes see the Govt3: Towards sustainable practice website.
General
The Government has adopted a National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy (September 2001) and a New Zealand Waste Strategy (March 2002). These set national targets for increased efficiency in energy and resource use in all sectors of society. Government agencies are expected to take account of these Strategies and targets in their procurement in ways that are consistent with the value for money and other policy and good practice considerations set out in this policy guide.
Whole-of-life Procurement Factors
By taking account of cost savings obtainable from use of energy efficient products and technologies, agencies' procurement can contribute to achievement of the National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy target of a 15 percent improvement in energy efficiency over five years in central government. The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA), the principal body responsible for delivering the Strategy, provides assistance to purchasing agencies under its EnergyWise Government programme. EECA provides partial funding for energy audits of buildings and vehicle fleets, and low cost loans to finance the purchase of energy efficient equipment.
In their assessment of value for money over whole of life, purchasing agencies should give due consideration to minimisation of waste and disposal costs. By specifying products that can be reused and/or contain recycled content wherever reasonably possible and cost-effective, government agencies will help to maintain and develop the market demand which makes local waste collection, recovery and recycling industries viable and efficient.
Timber Procurement (see MAF website)
The Government also expects its agencies to take all reasonable steps to ensure that timber and timber products procured, including tropical timber, are from legally logged and sustainably managed sources. An internationally recognised sustainable forestry accreditation scheme (including New Zealand forests) is provided by the Forest Stewardship Council.
Note: Departments are now required to seek legally sourced timber and wood products. For updated policy information refer to the MAF website at the above link.
Ozone Depleting/Hazardous Substances
New Zealand is a party to international environment agreements concerning: the protection of the ozone layer (Montreal Protocol); trans-boundary movements of hazardous wastes (Basel Convention); and imports/exports of a range of dangerous chemicals (Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions). Related New Zealand measures are set out in legislation such as the Ozone Layer Protection Act 1996 and Regulations. The latter, for example, have implications for procurement and disposal of products and services involving ozone depleting substances e.g. refrigeration, air conditioning, and fire protection. For details of relevant controls and requirements see the Laws and treaties page on the website of the Ministry of the Environment.
Environmental Accreditation
Procurement managers and staff should familiarise themselves with environmental quality assurance schemes which are increasingly available to help simplify procurement decisions in this complex area. By including environmental accreditation among their criteria for evaluating suppliers' bids, agencies can help to improve the market for environmentally friendly and energy-efficient goods and services. Accreditation may be based on life cycle analysis (production, use and disposal) such as the Government-endorsed Environmental Choice New Zealand, on single resource use such as energy efficiency labelling of appliances, or on sustainable management practice such as the ISO 14000 series. Links to these resources are available from the Govt3 website.
Documentation/Supplier Information
Information sent to suppliers should include a statement of the agency's approach to compliance with the Government's environmental policies. Consideration should be given to developing appropriate standard clauses for tender and contract documentation. These could include requests for documentation on environmental impacts such as accreditations obtained, sustainable production practices, energy efficiency, recycled content, durability and reuse options, hazardous material content, and end-of-life disposal provisions. Unless specifically requested, such resource impact information is not likely to be included in offers to supply.
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