IOER Forum on the potential of public procurement for greater sustainability

Public procurement can play a key role in changing institutional and organizational actions and decisions, thereby contributing to the achievement of sustainable economic, social, and environmental goals.

Illustration with green background, depicting people, industrial landscape, money flows towards a point from which leaves grow. — Illustration: N. Bongaerts/IOER Media

Whether it is the construction of a new school building, the maintenance of cycle paths, or the upkeep of public parks—all these municipal tasks require materials and services. This is where public procurement comes into play. In the OECD countries—a group of 38 industrialized nations that work together to coordinate their economic, trade, and development policies—public procurement accounts for an average of 12.5 percent of gross domestic product, which is a considerable share.

This sector therefore has considerable potential to support local businesses, accelerate the implementation of environmental standards, and promote sustainable and innovative processes and products. The fall series of the IÖR Forum will examine this potential of public procurement, but also the obstacles to its successful implementation.

The series kicks off with a panel discussion that looks at public procurement from the perspective of business and politics. This will be followed by a scientific lecture on the relationships between government organizations and regional and national interest groups, , using public procurement in the United Kingdom as an example. Another event will focus on procurement practices. All lectures will be supplemented by input from current research conducted by the IOER.

All information on the current series of the IOER Forum

Contact at the IOER
Dr Anna-Maria Schielicke, e-mail: a.schielickeioer@ioer.de

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