Government Departments to Buy More Sustainably

The Hon. Lianne Dalziel has announced that core government departments are now required to purchase more environmentally friendly and sustainable goods and services (See the media release of 30 August on the Beehive website).

The purchase and use of paper and timber products, light fittings, and travel arrangements are considered in new sustainable procurement standards, guidelines and targets released on 30 August. These are the first of a number of product and service category reviews that will be undertaken as part of the Sustainable Government Procurement Project, one of three sustainability projects being led by the Ministry of Economic Development.

Highlights include:

• All paper sourced by government departments in future must have a minimum "three-star" rating, which has less impact on the environment than standard paper
• Government departments must not purchase timber, paper and wood products from illegally-logged forests as it poses a serious threat to forests, communities and wildlife
• Government departments must have a workplace travel plan in place by the end of 2010 with the aim of reducing kilometres travelled by 15 per cent, provided that departmental performance is not reduced
• Government departments must only consider purchasing, hiring, or leasing vehicles that have a minimum emissions standard of Euro 4 (or equivalent)
• Energy-efficient lamps should be purchased instead of standard lightbulbs
• Video conferencing and electronic communications should be encouraged.

Public Service departments will be the first to adopt these new standards, guidelines and targets, which bring together recommendations by Govt3 – a Ministry for the Environment programme that helps central government agencies become more sustainable – as well as other existing procurement policy.

For detailed information on the new standards, guidelines and targets for the purchase and use of paper and timber products, light fittings, and travel arrangements, see New Zealand Public Sector Category Reviews.

Australia/New Zealand Framework sets guiding principles

The New Zealand and Australian governments have launched the first joint trans-Tasman framework for sustainable government procurement to ensure that public sector organisations in both countries consider the sustainability credentials of goods and services they buy (See the media release of 14 September on the Beehive website).

The Australia and New Zealand Government Framework for Sustainable Procurement provides a set of guiding principles and best practice examples for public sector organisations. It will encourage the sharing of experience between governments in both countries and ensure economic, environmental and social considerations are taken into account.

For further information on the new requirements, the Framework and other government procurement directives and initiatives, visit the Procurement website.

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