Useful Documents and Links

Below are links to a number of useful documents relating to various areas of sustainability in procurement.
 
Sustainable Procurement in Government: Guidance to the Flexible Framework Defra document providing guidance on implementing the flexible framework across the procurement cycle.
 
Action Plan for Driving Sustainable Operations and Procurement Across Government Defra document with the aim of ensuring that Government operations and procurement are sustainable.
 
Procuring the Future Government document. UK National Action Plan for sustainable procurement, including the Flexible Framework criteria.
 
Buying A Better World Produced by Forum of the Future- Useful general guidance on sustainable procurement.
 
Bristol Sustainable Procurement Strategy Bristol's sustainable procurement strategy outlining the eleven objectives to be achieved.
 
Procura + European sustainable procurement campaign established by ICLEI.
 
EU Green Procurement Toolkit Toolkit provided by the European Union to incorporate green (environmental only) issues into procurement.
 
Backing Small Businesses Summary document from the Department for Business Innovation and Skills setting out the coalition government's plans for supporting small businesses.
 
Building A Better South West Sustainable construction website from Construction Excellence South West and Future Foundations.
 
LOCOG Sustainable Sourcing Code Sustainable sourcing code of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic games and paralympic Games.
 
European Fairtrade Association

The European Observatory on Fairtrade Public Procurement website (registration required to access content).
 
The Stern Review Government report on the economics of climate change.
 
South West Fairtrade Purchasing Guide Directory for suppliers of Fairtrade products in the South West aimed at procurement departments and SMEs. Covers Catering and Wholesale, Vending, Clothing and Accessories, Financial Services and Office Supplies.
 
Addressing the Environmental Impacts of Government Procurement Press release from the National Audit Office giving a precis of their report from April 2009. The full report can be viewed here.
 
Addressing the Social Dimensions of Environmental Policy An EU policy briefing highlighting key findings on the impacts and percieved issues reconciling social policy and sustainable development. 
 
Tendering for Public Contracts- a Guide for Small Businesses A document produced jointly by the OGC and the Small Business Service giving guidance to small businesses in England on how to find and bid for public sector contract opportunities.
 
OGC Guidance Various guidance including social considerations within procurement
 
OGC Policy Through Procurement Outline guidance on how procurement activities can assist in delivering wider objectives in various agendas including environmental, fostering innovation, promoting equality of opportunity and removing barriers to SME involvement in public procurement.
 
Collection of Statistical Information: Results Results compiled by Price Waterhouse Coopers of the seven best performing EU member states in Green Public Procurement.
 
Measurement of Sustainable Procurement A report commissioned by EMDA concentrates on assessing the practical measurement of social, economic and environmental sustainability so that these measures can be incorporated into the procurement process. The document can be viewed here via the Action Sustainability site (registration required).
 
Government Buying Standards Formerly known as "Buy Sustainable Quick Wins", these are sustainable specifications from DEFRA for a range of commonly purchased products. Contains both a minimum specification and best practice specification.

 

 
Other sites of Interest  
 
Sustainable Gov New site specialising in Sustainable Public Procurement
Eco Geek Exploring the symbiosis between nature and technology
Green Bang Tracking carbon reduction through innovation- sustainable business development site.
The Guardian Environment pages
Business Green Green business news
Click Green Green business news and events
Lets Recycle News and information for recyclers and sustainable waste management
   
*Please note: the above sites are not maintained by SWSPN and therefore we cannot be held responsible for their content.*