The role of UN Environment in general is to provide leadership and encourage partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations. In cooperation with a number of Governments and international organisations, UN Environment launched an International Sustainable Public Procurement initiative (SPPI) at the Rio+20 Summit in June 2012.
 | 2012 Date joined |
The Sustainable United Nations Unit (SUN) within the Sustainable Consumption and Production Branch of UN Environment's Division of Technology, Industry and Economics in Paris. It houses a number of initiatives which have influence both within and beyond the UN system including the Sustainable United Nations facility, the Sustainable Public Procurement initiative, the Sustainable Buildings and Climate Initiative, and the Urban Environment team.
GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT FOR SPPUNEP and its partners are active in supporting SPP globally through tools and guidance. These can be viewed in the Explore More tab.
The Sustainable Public Procurement and Ecolabelling Project started in April 2013 with the support of the European Commission, China and the Republic of Korea. The project seeks to combine Ecolabelling and SPP to achieve maximum synergies and to better deliver the common goal of stimulating the demand and supply of sustainable products. The project is implemented at regional and national levels and is supported by knowledge management, outreach and communication activities.
KEEPING TRACK OF SPPThrough the 10YFP on SPP a Global Review of SPP was carried out in 2013. This provides a qualitative overview of the drivers, challenges and trends in SPP/GPP, and articulates a framework for subsequent quantitative data gathering. A 2016 edition is being researched and authored.
United Nations sustainable procurement guidelines
Sustainable procurement guidelines for the UN Environment
Towards a lifecycle sustainability assessment: making informed choices on products
Using product services to enhance sustainable public procurement
Sustainable consumption and procurement clearinghouse
Measuring and communicating the benefits of SPP: baseline review framework
For further information on the activities of UN Environment visit their website:
or email procurement@iclei.org
