Fostering a Low-Carbon, Circular Economy through Sustainable Public Procurement for Central Asian UNCTs

Public procurement, which represents on average 13% to 20% of GDP, can make a critical contribution to the resolution of the current climate, nature, and pollution planetary crises. By favouring the purchase of greener products—circular, low-carbon, etc.—public authorities can significantly reduce their environmental footprints. Governments are seen as the largest consumers in a given economy and are uniquely positioned to incorporate sustainability criteria into purchasing decisions at a scale that can be transformative.

Today, the overall procurement activities in six industries (defence and security, transport, waste management services, construction, industrial products, and utilities) are responsible for 15% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, which necessitates urgent actions to address this.

UNEP has been at the forefront of SPP since 2005 and is recognized as an expert organization in this field by suggesting tools and methodologies with support at least 20 countries world-wide since 2009. The promotion of SPP reform goes in line with the SDG 2030 Agenda and Goal 12 specifically. UNEP is also the custodian of the SDG 12.7 target, which promotes "public procurement practices that are sustainable, in accordance with national policies and priorities."

Unfortunately, the uptake of sustainable public procurement today varies a lot across regions and is often lagging. It creates a pressing need to introduce a comprehensive approach and support for advanced SPP national frameworks (e.g., a broader market for sustainable products, an appropriate legal framework, and capacity building) to contribute to the green economy agenda and climate change mitigation and adaptation.

The webinar is organized by the UNEP and its sub-regional office in Central Asia in close cooperation with the UNCTs of the Central Asian countries of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan to ensure UNCTs engagement and possible shared leadership on increased landscape and implementation of sustainable consumption and production in the region.

The activity corresponds to 10YFP’s Global Strategy on Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP), implemented under the UNEP flagship initiatives of the One Planet Network and Global opportunities for Sustainable Development Goals (GO4SDGs) with the support of Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA).

The main objective of this webinar is to increase UNCTs’ understanding of sustainable public procurement to provide innovative space for collaborative ideas and shared leadership for circular economy advancement and climate change mitigation and adaptation in the national frameworks of Central Asia.

Through the provided dialogue platform, the activity will help to dive into the concept of circular and green procurement and discuss its contribution to greener supply chains. It will also help:

• Improve the knowledge on SPP and its effectiveness as a tool to promote greener economies and net-zero industry;
• Promote sustainable consumption and production patterns, with a focus on SPP, to the UNCTs to enhance uptake and implementation at the national level;
• Strengthen the implementation of SPP on the ground through knowledge sharing on UNEP instruments and approach and Central Asian green procurement agenda;
• Promote further dialogue on resources mobilization in Central Asia.

UNCTs representatives from five Central Asian countries (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan), the UNEP sub-regional office for Central Asia, UNEP 10YFP, and GO4SDGs

Recording will be provided.