Approaches to sustainable procurement - Auckland Regional
Council
Environmental policy - the green plan
Council adopted an internal Environmental Policy (the 'Green Plan') in February 2001. The Green Plan establishes council's commitment to continually improve its environmental performance including:
- phasing out ozone depleting substances and minimising the release of greenhouse gases, volatile organic compounds, vehicle emissions and other substances damaging to health and the environment;
- encouraging manufacturers, suppliers and contractors, through tighter specifications, to develop environmentally preferable goods and services at competitive prices;
- working with contractors to improve environmental performance where this is relevant to the contract;
- educating, training and motivating staff and contractors to work in an environmentally responsible manner and to be an important part in developing new ideas and initiatives;
- ensuring that any products derived from nature such as timber, plants and leather goods are derived from sustainable sources and comply with international trading rules such as CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species);
The Green Plan has now been succeeded by the Walking the Talk strategy which formalises ARC's broader commitment to take a sustainable development approach in performing its role, as required under the Local Government Act 2002. Walking the Talk is an ongoing programme of changing organisational culture, and procurement is a key catalyst in facilitating change.
Draft procurement guidelines and policy
Auckland Regional Council has made a commitment to develop and implement a formal procurement strategy. Council has developed a Draft Procurement Guidelines and Policy document that includes environmental sustainability criteria for discussion. Tools, formal systems and processes that will assist in implementing this policy will be investigated.
