Green government procurement

Green procurement is a popular way to create markets for green products, particularly when it is done by governments. In this case, the environmental impact is significant. I’ve often tried to think about how it can work in India, especially the Indian government. One thing is clear, it is not only what we procure and use but what we don’t use. Here are four low hanging mantras that government offices can start with.

Digitise as much as possible, to use less paper and access information more easily.

This is expensive, but essential as we modernize. Second, stop the unnecessary practice of serving bottled water.

Why can’t every government office set up an RO System? We drink and offer clean water via RO to our guests at home, so why do we feel so under-confident of serving it in offices?

Third, build nothing more that is not highly energy efficient, and build windows in new offices, so users are not dependant on air conditioning to counter suffocation, even when it is pleasant outside.

Fourth, no office should order food for any reason that is packaged in materials that cannot be recycled, as chips and bis- cuit packaging. To the extend possible, food should also be simple, vegetarian and without individual portions being wrapped in aluminium foil. All these contribute to protect the planet.

Take a moment to imagine what this can mean in terms of resources saved. These are just the easiest things to mainstream, so why delay it?

DIGITISE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE TO USE LESS PAPER AND ACCESS INFORMATION MORE EASILY. THIS IS EXPENSIVE, BUT ESSENTIAL