Introduction

As the European Union races towards its ambitious goal of climate neutrality by 2050, the public building sector stands as a crucial front in this battle. With public buildings accounting for 40% of the EU’s total energy consumption and 36% of its greenhouse gas emissions, transforming these structures offers a significant opportunity for impact. Green Public Procurement (GPP) emerges as a powerful tool to drive demand for energy-efficient solutions and catalyze market change. However, GPP adoption across EU member states remains inconsistent and limited.

A new policy brief, drawing on extensive research and case studies, delves into this issue, pinpointing the key barriers to GPP implementation and recommending targeted interventions to unlock its full potential. Authored by Alexandru Buftic, the brief positions GPP as a strategic instrument for market shaping and innovation. It can accelerate the transition to sustainable, energy-efficient public buildings while generating long-term public value.

Key Barriers to GPP Adoption

The research identifies several critical obstacles preventing broader GPP adoption:

• Lack of technical expertise
• Higher upfront costs
• Unfavorable regulations
• Risk aversion
• Inconsistent practices

Success Story: Alba Iulia

The brief highlights Alba Iulia, a Romanian city that has achieved significant energy savings in its public buildings through strategic GPP implementation. This success story offers valuable lessons for other cities looking to leverage procurement for sustainability goals.

Policy Recommendations

Based on these findings, the brief proposes a series of policy recommendations to enhance GPP as a driver of energy efficiency:

• Developing an EU-wide GPP framework
• Establishing dedicated funding and incentives
• Investing in capacity building
• Harmonizing criteria
• Fostering collaboration

Unlocking the Potential of GPP

Can GPP truly unlock the potential for energy-efficient public buildings in the EU? What will it take to overcome the barriers to its effective implementation? To explore these questions and dive deeper into the research, case studies, and policy recommendations, download the complete policy brief.

About the SAPIENS Policy Brief Series

This analysis is part of the SAPIENS Policy Brief Series, an initiative dedicated to showcasing the expertise and insights of our network’s early stage researchers. Policy briefs are concise documents that distill key research findings into actionable recommendations, providing early stage researchers with a platform to influence decision-making processes. These briefs serve as vital tools for translating research into policy, offering evidence-based solutions to pressing societal challenges. By disseminating these succinct analyses, the SAPIENS Network aims to bridge the gap between research and policy, catalyzing positive change and promoting evidence-informed decision-making. This series highlights our commitment to facilitating dialogue, driving impactful policy agendas, and empowering early stage researchers to address complex issues effectively.

Call to Action

To learn more about how Green Public Procurement can drive energy efficiency in public buildings across the EU, download the complete policy brief