The Australian Government has recently unveiled its Environmentally Sustainable Procurement policy (ESPP).
The ESPP, which takes effect on 1 July 2024, for construction services above $7.5m, aims to ensure that government officials purchase goods and services that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase materials circularity, and promote environmental sustainability.
The government will buy products that:
- minimise greenhouse gas emissions.
- are safe for the environment.
- retain their value for longer.
Other categories will follow in phase 2 from 1 July 2025, and include furniture, fittings and equipment, information and communication technology (ICT) goods, and textiles.
“It’s good news for businesses with EPDs for their construction products. EPDs will be acceptable evidence for low embodied carbon materials in one of the pathways for reducing carbon impacts from construction materials,” said EPD Australasia Chair John McArthur.
“EPDs can also be used in the recognised sustainability rating pathways Infrastructure Sustainability (IS) Rating scheme and Green Star.”
The scale of Federal Government procurements presents a unique opportunity to make a substantial impact on Australia’s net zero and sustainability ambitions.
“Concrete and cement companies for example are making great strides in producing low-embodied products as evidenced in their EPDs,” said John.
For further information – CLICK HERE