Press release

IISD event focuses on green public procurement as a key driver of international trade

June 13, 2012

RIO DE JANIERO—June 14, 2012—The International Institute for Sustainable Development is hosting an event at Rio+20 aimed at helping governments provide a strong market incentive for green investment, innovation, production and growth by buying green products and services.

Green Procurement: a cross cutting strategy for green growth is hosted by IISD in association with the Global Green Growth Fund and Green Growth Initiative, and with the support of Denmark's ministry for the environment.

Governments are looking for guidance as green public procurement has become a key driver of international trade, creating value chains that span the world. As countries seek to reposition their comparative trading advantages, domestic sustainable public procurement (SPP) strategies need to be adjusted to address evolving economic realities. Experience in OECD countries has shown that SPP can trigger demand for green products and services, but some think this approach could undermine World Trade Organization rules if not handled properly.

The event is designed to help governments find their way through a range of necessary policies and practices for building and improving SPP and recognizing potential international trade problems.

Discussion groups will address such things as enabling policy frameworks that have rewarded front-runners; incentives being offered to private investors; how to overcome market failures; and the use of labels and standards in providing uniformity and certainty across sectors, systems and products.

Discussion leaders include:

  • Mikkel Stenbæk Hansen, Ministry of Environment Denmark
  • Sachin Joshi, CII-ITC Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Development, Confederation of Indian Industry
  • Jan-Willem Scheijgrond, Philips S.A. The Netherlands
  • Yalmaz Saddiqui, Office Depot, USA (to be confirmed)
  • Valeria D'Amico de Lima, State Government of Sao Paulo, Brazil (to be confirmed)
  • Alexander Klein, Director Technical Marketing, Evonik Industries AG
  • Mark Halle and Oshani Perera, IISD

Lead-organizer: International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD)
Date: Friday, June 15, 2012 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at Rio Centro: Room T-10

Accelerating Green Growth through Public-Private Partnerships
IISD is also participating in a workshop hosted by The Global Green Growth Forum and the UN Global Compact bringing together leaders of public-private partnerships to discuss how to effectively establish, manage and scale public-private green growth alliances.
Date: Monday, June 15, 2012 from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. at the Corporate Sustainability Forum, Windsor Barra Hotel, Rio de Janeiro

For more information contact [email protected] or IISD public affairs manager Nona Pelletier: +1 204 958 7740 or +1 204 962 1303.

About IISD

The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) is a globally recognized think tank with 3 decades of experience working to solve the world’s most pressing sustainable development challenges. We combine deep expertise in a wide range of issues with a collaborative approach to research, policy advice, and hands-on support to ensure these solutions are brought to life. Headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba, we are a diverse team of over 300 professionals working from offices in Canada, Switzerland, and other locations around the world.