Malta s National Action Plan for Green Public Procurement

1. Malta�s National Action Plan for Green Public Procurement Marie-Louise Mangion Tourism and Sustainable Development Unit Parliamentary Secretariat for Tourism, the Environment and Culture Office of the Prime Minister 2nd July 2010

2. Why do we need a NAP for GPP? Government is a major consumer of products and services, affecting the environment. As recognised by the European Commission, in 2003, through its Integrated Product Policy, a strategy is required to address the environmental impact caused by products throughout their life-cycle. Green public procurement is a means to achieving sustainable consumption and production and provides an impulse for innovation and competitiveness.

3. Why do we need a NAP for GPP? In the Council Conclusions relating to: Sustainable Consumption and Production (Environment Council) Public procurement for a better environment (Competitiveness Council) Member States in 2008 agreed to a political indicative target of 50% GPP as from 2010. We need to move towards this.

4. Why do we need a NAP for GPP? It also makes financial sense: Studies have indicated that GPP has not only led to major reductions in CO2 emissions but also decreased costs taking into account life cycle costs of a product or service. Government can provide the critical mass required by market operators to provide green products instigating innovation and competitiveness.

5. Aim of the NAP for GPP The NAPs will: not be legally-binding but provide political impetus to the process of implementing and raising awareness of greener public procurement. allow Member States to choose the options that best suit their political framework and the level they have reached, enabling an exchange of best practices in facilitating greener public procurement.

6. GPP at an European level Agreed on a political indicative target of 50% of GPP. Agreed on new mandatory EU requirements such as that on Clean & Energy efficient road transport Agreed to designate GPP as an area of cooperation in the pact for European Mayors Agreed to define common modalities for greening public procurement in ten priority sectors Development and translation of a Communication and Training Toolkit Set up of various networks for exchange of information and internationally funded projects. Development of an evaluation methodology to assess the progress of Member States in 2010 Discussion on specifications of the next product groups

7. What has Malta done? First draft of a NAP for GPP with inputs from various players was formulated, approved by MEPA Board and submitted to MRAE in June 2007. Following changes to ministerial competencies, this moved to OPM. Given developments at an EU level, a review and update of the NAP was needed. MFEI led this process in view of public procurement. Inputs by various players were provided.

8. What has Malta done? The review: Examined the concept of the EU GPP Policy and its current state of play across EU Member States. Conducted studies with a view to comprehensively understand the local scenario. Outlined a strategy for GPP.

9. The local scenario Qualitative Research on Green Public Procurement through Green Leaders: Prevailing attitude in public sector limits GPP to paper and office equipment Recommended specifying environmental standards, centralise purchases, provide information, enforce, raise awareness for suppliers and buyers Evaluating the level of Green Public Procurement in awarded contracts in 2007-2008: One tender (cleaning services) compliant with common core GPP criteria Nine tenders had an element of GPP.

10. The local scenario Public procurement expenditure analysis (DOC tenders only): Over 70% of contracts (value) fall within the first ten priority grouping Market Sounding: Agree with GPP but involve stakeholders Need to develop capacity for design of green buildings Importance to adapt specifications to local context Assistance to private sector by MSA

11. Six strategic measures Clear Policy leadership Green purchasing delivery targets Central co-ordination through a core team of experts responsible for driving the GPP strategy and maintaining its momentum A Gateway Review Process ensuring that a unified sustainable procurement framework is being effectively applied across the public sector/service Effective support for the supplier base Awareness raising, information, training and education.

12. Proposed GPP Targets Criteria for deciding on these targets: Potential financial impact Potential number of awarded contracts Market favourableness On the basis of the three criteria, the following are the proposed GPP targets

15. Proposed GPP targets Construction � merits special attention It is advisable that due weight to potential environmental impacts be factored in when prioritising and setting GPP targets. One now has to assess these priorities against the potential environmental impact to finalise prioritisation and take into account developments such as the directive on the promotion of clean and energy efficient road transport vehicles.

16. Way forward Government will be promoting and moving towards Green Public Procurement Government will be discussing at a national level and at a European level the specifications for GPP criteria for the next product groups Warm up the market Avoid market distortions and put in motion the right culture change.