The Contracts Department is in the process of preparing National Action Plan on Green Public Procurement. The Plan will be based on a common set of GPP criteria established by the EC Commission for products and services, including construction. This will introduce new requirements in public procurement and are intended to make public buildings more environmentally friendly.
The BICC Council meeting of the 29th January 2010 discussed the subject and subsequently submitted comments to the Contracts Department.
The BICC supports the introduction of green public procurement criteria relating to construction as an important part in the drive towards sustainable development. The BICC also believes that by adopting green procurement Government would not only be leading by example but more importantly, would positively influence the market by incentivizing the uptake of green technologies.
On the other hand, the BICC recommends caution in setting the implementation objectives and milestones. It is the BICC’s opinion that the GPP implementation strategy must place into perspective the current operational realities of both the Contracting Authorities and the Contractors. Whilst acknowledging that GPP is an opportunity for reinforcing innovation, the BICC is concerned about the possible damaging effects of setting too rapid a timeframe for its implementation in Malta.
BICC's comments are attached.
