Green public procurement should be the default in the European construction sector. That is the main message of the Buy Better to Build Better (BBBB) coalition, bringing together 35 stakeholders from across the construction value chain, civil societies and public authorities committing to a common vision for green public procurement in 2030.

In their own words, the BBBB coalition seeks to “mainstream public procurement as a core lever for driving large-scale demand for large-scale demand for green construction solutions, while maintaining European industry at the forefront of technological progress.” The coalition believes that if the EU uses its public procurement power (public procurement represents 15% of the bloc’s GDP) it can accelerate the industrial transition while advancing European competitiveness.

BBBB’s manifesto highlights four key points for how its aims should be achieved. Firstly there should be harmonised, sector-specific Green Public Procurement criteria to create demand for low-carbon and circular construction solutions. Secondly, the internal market should be strengthened with overarching public procurement criteria that go beyond lowest price. Thirdly, GPP tracking in the EU should be simplified and standardised, and, finally, there should be continued support, through training, resources and strategic guidance, for public authorities to implement GPP.

BBBB believes that if such ideas are implemented well, the EU’s renewed focus on creating lead markets via public procurement could have a particularly high impact on the construction sector, where public procurement accounts for 31% of total investment. The coalition further notes that the EU should replicate the examples set by isolated good practices, enabling green and innovative solutions to scale rapidly and consistently across Europe.

Dominique Sandy, Head of Sustainable and Innovation Procurement at BBBB member ICLEI Europe, explains: “Public procurement has huge impacts and opportunities for public procurers of all sizes. This opportunity is especially present in the construction sector, which accounts for substantial emissions for our members. We are proud to be part of this coalition, to sign the manifesto, and continue to work to make the strategic use of public procurement the norm across Europe and beyond.”

Learn more about BBBB here, and read the manifesto here.