context and general remarks

Sustainable Public Procurement – survey results CSR HLG Meeting on 7 May 2007

Sustainable Public Procurement in EU Member States – The survey results

Presentation given at the 15th meeting of the EU High-Level Group on CSRBrussels, 7 May 2007

Dr. Reinhard SteurerAstrid Konrad MA

RIMAS - Research Institute for Managing SustainabilityVienna University of Economics and Business Administration

www.sustainability.euwww.sustainability.eu/csr-policies


Context and general remarks

1. The project: „Analysis of national policies on CSR, in support of a structured exchange of information on national CSR policies and initiatives“ is commissioned by DG Employment (Tender No VT/2005/063)

2. The subjects of to be covered in three separate studies were identified in the CSR HLG meeting on 30 May 2006


Thematic preferences for three CSR policy analyses

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

Awareness Codes ofConduct

Reporting SRI Procurement Labels

Scores "no"

Scores "yes"


Context and general remarks

1. The project: „Analysis of national policies on CSR, in support of a structured exchange of information on national CSR policies and initiatives“ is commissioned by DG Employment (Tender No VT/2005/063)

2. The subjects: of the three analyses were identified in the CSR HLG meeting on 30 May 2006

3. The aims of the survey: Amend compendium Characterize policy instruments Derive typology of policy approaches/instruments Success factors and challenges Identify good practice cases for case studies


Orientation

1. What is the methodological basis of the survey?Literature, survey interviews, countries covered etc.

2. What instruments are used in CSR policies?Typology of CSR policies in general

3. What instruments did we find in the survey? The „toolbox“ of fostering SPP in practice

4. Were we able to draw some general conclusions?Success factors and challenges …

5. What are the next steps? Case studies; analysis and SRI


Orientation

1. What is the methodological basis of the survey?Literature, survey interviews, countries covered etc.


3. What instruments did we find in the survey? The „toolbox“ of CSR awareness raising in practice


5. What are the next steps? Case studies; analyses on SRI and CSR in Public Procurement


Methodological remarks

1. Literature review:Instruments of CSR Policy and typology of instrumentsStudies on SPP initiatives

DG Employment (2003, 2006)

Compendium on national public

policies on CSR in the EU

DG Employment (2003, 2006)

Compendium on national public

policies on CSR in the EU

DG Environment (2006) National

GPP policies and guidelines

DG Environment (2006) National

GPP policies and guidelines

Sustainable Procurement Task

Force (2006): International

Benchmarking Final Report

Sustainable Procurement Task

Force (2006): International

Benchmarking Final Report




2. Survey of public administration experts:Between 26 March & 30 April74 contacts, 24 interviews, 7 times (additional) written information


Institutional affiliation of interview partnersInstitutional affiliation of interview partners

Ministry of Environment: 8

(26%)

Ministry of Trade and

Industry: 4 (13%)

Ministry of Finance:5 (16%)

Other governmental institutions: 6 (19%)

Ministry of Employment and Social Affairs: 8

(26%)





3. Countries covered:

26: 24 with survey contacts; 2 with information from other studies


Countries covered in the survey

Green: survey

Orange: other studies

Grey: not covered





3. Countries covered & number of initiatives:

26: 24 with survey contacts; 2 with information from other studies103 SPP initiatives identified

4. Accuracy and completeness of the results:Panel of experts advises us Completeness depends on the survey answers 103 SPP identified - comprehensive but not a complete picture


Overview

1. What is the methodological basis of the survey?Number of interviews, countries covered etc.






CSR policy instruments in general

1. Informational or endorsing instruments:Campaigns, guidelines, trainings

2. Partnering instruments: Networks, partnerships, dialogues

3. Financial or economic instruments: Economic incentives, subsidies, grants

4. Mandating (legal) instruments:Laws, regulations, decrees

Source: Fox T, Ward H, Howard B. 2002. Public Sector Roles in Strengthening Corporate Social Responsibility: A Baseline Study. Washington D.C.: World Bank; http://www.iied.org/pubs/pdf/full/16014IIED.pdf

“soft-law approach”

regulatory approach


Orientation



3. What instruments did we find in the survey? The „toolbox“ of SPP in practice




Instruments to facilitate SPP

1. Informational or endorsing instruments:


3. Financial or economic instruments Economic incentives, subsidies, grants

4. (Mandating instruments):Laws, regulations, decrees

3.9%

Educational activities: conferences, seminars, trainings

3.9%

Educational activities: conferences, seminars, trainings

13.6%

Government-sponsored guidelines (focus & target group differences)

13.6%

Government-sponsored guidelines (focus & target group differences)

11.7%

Information resources: websites, studies, reports etc.

11.7%

Information resources: websites, studies, reports etc.

1,9%

Information campaigns

(Ireland 2004, Cyprus 2006)

1,9%

Information campaigns

(Ireland 2004, Cyprus 2006)

Example Cyprus:

Best Practice Guide on SPP

&

training of 600 public procurers

(start in May 2007)

Example Cyprus:

Best Practice Guide on SPP

&

training of 600 public procurers

(start in May 2007)







1

Network

1

Network

Netherlands:

PIANOo: Network of public procurers

Focus: environmental & social

Target group: public sector in general

www.pianoo.nl

Netherlands:

PIANOo: Network of public procurers

Focus: environmental & social

Target group: public sector in general

www.pianoo.nl







No instrument found that provides direct economic incentives to businesses, but … (see below)

No instrument found that provides direct economic incentives to businesses, but … (see below)







25.2%

Laws

that often allow SPP but do not prescribe it (EU directives relevant)

25.2%

Laws



EU Directives* on PP: Status of implementation

19: implemented

2 (Es, Lux): in preparation

1: not implemented

5: status unclear

* „Procurement directive“ 2004/18/EC „Utilities directive“ 2004/17/EC







25.2%

Laws


25.2%

Laws


4.9%

Decrees/resolutions

that ask for SPP (legal status differs across countries)

4.9%

Decrees/resolutions

that ask for SPP (legal status differs across countries)

4.9%

Circulars (UK & F)

on specific SPP issues (wood, energy, food)

4.9%

Circulars (UK & F)

on specific SPP issues (wood, energy, food)


Hybrid instruments





27.2% Actio

n plans/programmes/strategies fo

r SPP

27.2% Actio


r SPP


Member States with National Action Plans on SPP/GPP

9: NAP adopted

7: NAP in preparation/ drafted

3: No (draft) NAP

8: Status unclear


Hybrid instruments





27.2% Actio


r SPP

27.2% Actio


r SPP

Example UK:

National Procurement Strategy for local

governments (2003)

Government Strategy on SPP (2005, departments are

required to develop own strategies)

SP Task Force (2005-6)

Sustainable Procurement Action Plan (2007)

Example UK:

National Procurement Strategy for local

governments (2003)

Government Strategy on SPP (2005, departments are

required to develop own strategies)

SP Task Force (2005-6)

Sustainable Procurement Action Plan (2007)


Hybrid instruments





27.2% Actio


r SPP

27.2% Actio


r SPP

5.8%: P

latform

s, centre

s, other in

stitutio

ns

5.8%: P

latform

s, centre

s, other in

stitutio

ns


Overview of SPP initiativesOverview of SPP initiativesEducational activities, e.g.

conferences, seminars, trainings; 3.9%

Government-sponsored guidelines; 13.6%

Information resources, e.g. websites, studies,

reports, etc.; 11.7%

Information/awareness raising campaigns; 1.9%

Networks/partnerships/agreements; 1.0%

Decrees, resolutions; 4.9%

Circulars; 4.9%

Action plans/programmes/strategies

for CSR; 27.2%

Platforms/centres/institutions; 5.8%

Informational instruments

Partnering instruments

Legal instruments

Hybrid instruments

Laws; 25.2%










Circulars; 4.9%


for CSR; 27.2%




Legal instruments

Hybrid instruments

Laws; 25.2%

Economic/financial instruments are missing, but…

Economic/financial instruments are missing, but…










Circulars; 4.9%


for CSR; 27.2%




Legal instruments

Hybrid instruments

Laws; 25.2%

Indirectly: All SPP initiatives foster CSR by

providing economic/ financial incentives


Focus of SPP initiatives: Environmental and/or social?Focus of SPP initiatives: Environmental and/or social?

Environmental & social

(47.6%)

Environmental only(41.7%)

Social only(6.8%)

Focus not identified (3.9%)


0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Target groups of SPP initiativesTarget groups of SPP initiatives

Public sector in general; 66.0%

Business; 10.7%

Regional and/or local level; 6.8%

National/federal level; 19.4%

not identified; 8.7%

Others; 1.9%

„Direct“ target group: 92.2% public sector

„Indirect“ target group 100% businesses

„Direct“ target group: 92.2% public sector

„Indirect“ target group 100% businesses

R. Steurer

spp statt aware


0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Target groups: comparison with „relevance in general“Target groups: comparison with „relevance in general“

Public sector in general; 66.0%

Business; 10.7%

Regional and/or local level; 6.8%

National/federal level; 19.4%

not identified; 8.7%

Others; 1.9%

Success factorsSuccess factorsMentioned by 37.5% of interviewees

Mentioned by 37.5% of interviewees


when asked for „relevant target groups

of SPP in general“


when asked for „relevant target groups

of SPP in general“

R. Steurer

spp statt aware


Orientation


2. What instruments are used in CSR policies?The „toolbox“ of CSR policy in general


4. Were we able to draw some general conclusions?Success factors and challenges



Success factors

1. Involvement of procurers, businesses & NGOs (7 mentions):In order to increase commitment among stakeholders and get new ideas

2. Type of support for public procurers (5):Up-to-date, specific and practical support to public procurers (criteria catalogues, contract samples, legal advice)

3. For new EU Member States, in particular regarding NAPs (5):European exchange and support with/by other countries, the European Commission, other experts


Challenges & obstacles

1. Belief that GPP/SPP is more/too expensive (12 mentions)Economically not feasible, beyond budgetary contraints …

2. Qualifications & support (12)Lack of awareness and engagement among procurers Lack of practical support and adequate training (confirmed by instruments found in survey – 4% “educational activities”)

3. Legal concerns (8)Legal situation not clear to procurers, more expertise (and training) needed to meet legal requirements

4. Political commitment too weak (3)


General issues

1. SPP is an important tool to foster CSR

2. Most relevant issues: environmental, social, both?• It depends (6)• All equally important (2) • Environmental aspects are more important (10)• Social aspects get more important (3)

3. Major drivers• Climate change debate (5)• International/European policies (5)• Public opinion (4)• Local communities interested in avoiding social & environmental

costs (3)


Orientation





5. What are the next steps?

3 case studies on SPP initiatives

Survey results & case studies will

be documented in final report

3 case studies on SPP initiatives

Survey results & case studies will

be documented in final report

Survey on public initiatives fostering

Socially Responsible Investments (SRI)

Survey on public initiatives fostering

Socially Responsible Investments (SRI)


[email protected]

RIMAS - Research Institute for Managing Sustainability

Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration

www.sustainability.eu

www.sustainability.eu/csr-policies

Thanks for your support!

context and general remarks

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