Government Procurement Opportunities and the

Green Economy

Jennie Everett CaissieDirector of Government Business

DevelopmentSeven-Star, Inc: America’s Green Event

Experts

Objectives

You should leave this session…With a different perspective on the green economyAble to identify green businesses and what they can do in their own operations to be environmentally responsible and socially respectfulAnd…Empowered with tools to make greener choices in their respective organizations

The eR/ sR business

What does it mean to be environmentally responsible and socially respectful as a business or organization?Why is it important to be eR/sR?Where does the eR/sR model fit in business or government procurement initiatives?What can businesses or government organizations do to enhance their eR/sR?Does eR/sR have anything to do with ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems?

The eR/ sR business

What does it mean to be environmentally responsible (eR) and socially respectful (sR) as a

business or organization?

“Green businesses operate in ways that solve, rather than cause, both environmental and social problems. 

These businesses adopt principles, policies, and practices that improve the quality of life for their customers, their employees, communities, and the environment.”

(Source: http://www.coopamerica.org/greenbusiness/whatis.cfm)

The eR/ sR business

Why is it important to be eR/sR?The United Nations 1998 Human Development Report reveals

that, “Globally, the 20% of the world’s people in the highest-income countries account for 86% of total private consumption expenditures—the poorest 20% a minuscule

1.3%” (Source:

http://www.globalissues.org/TradeRelated/Development/PovertyEnv.asp#IntroductionLinkingtheEnvironmentandPoverty)

This is not sustainable….

The eR/ sR business

Where does the eR/sR model fit in business or government procurement initiatives?

ENTER… The Triple Bottom LinePEOPLE PLANET PROFITSOCIAL ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMIC

The eR/ sR business

What can businesses or government organizations do to

enhance their eR/sR?– Establish goals and a timeline to be eR/ sR– Integrate eR/ sR values with culture of

organization– Involve employees in decisions– Implement new programs and evaluate

existing programs (Do they help or hinder eR/ sR goals?)

The eR/ sR business

Does eR/sR have anything to do with ISO 14001 Environmental

Management Systems?

Funny you should ask…

Green Business in America

Degrees of “greenness” among businesses in today’s marketGreen business attributes and existing green business opportunitiesGreen businesses and government procurement requirementsWhat are green products?What are green services?

Green Business in America

Degrees of “greenness” among businesses in today’s market

Danger of “green washinggreen washing”

Ask yourself: What are the inputs and outputs involved in this product/ service/ purchase?

Green Business in America

Green business attributes and existing green business

opportunities

Remember… eR/ sR

Green Business in America

Green businesses and government procurement requirements

…People…Planet…Profit

Green Business in America

What are green products?

Green products may have some of the following attributes:

Certified organic or use organic materials/ ingredientsFair trade Local to the purchaserHas a non-polluting production and transport processHas reduced or no need for packagingIs recyclable, compostable, reusableMade of non-toxic materials

Green Business in America

What are green services?

Consider employeeConsider materials used in serviceConsider externalities of service

Green Procurement--- What, why, and how….

Short introduction to green procurementFederal and other requirements for green purchasingExisting hurdles to buying the greenest products or servicesOpportunities and solutions for governments and businesses alike

Green Procurement--- What, why, and how….Short introduction to green

procurementGreen Procurement refers to the purchase of goods and

services that are environmentally preferable in one of the following ways:

Made of recycled contentMade of recovered contentBiobasedRemanufacturedEnergy or water efficientNon-toxic, non-ozone depleting

Green Procurement--- What, why, and how….

Federal and other requirements for green purchasing

Executive Order 13423 “Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy, and Transportation Management”

Executive Order 13148 “Greening the Government Through Leadership in Environmental Management”

The Resource Conservation Act of 1976 (Section 6002)

The Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Section 9002)

FAR 7,11,12,13,23,36,52

Many other federal and state requirements

And… Because it is the right thing to do!

Green Procurement--- What, why, and how….

Existing hurdles to buying the greenest products or services

Government Business Green Business

•Complicated systems•Multiple requirements= Confusion on priority considerations•Cultural barriers•Lack of oversight, enforcement

•Existing contracts•Focus on bottom line only

•Negative perceptions of government•Existing demand balances existing supply•Lack resources to compete in government market•Less visible to government purchasers

Green Procurement--- What, why, and how….

Opportunities and solutions for governments and businesses

alikeLearn about how to be “green”Shift organizational cultureInvest in “green”Make logical and reasonable goals BUT…DO NOT be afraid to make hard, tough choices for

change!

What can be done: Back to Work

Where does my organization fit into the bigger picture of green procurement?How can I apply the eR/sR model to my policy or purchasing decisions?What tools can be created to enable organizations to fit into the eR/sR model of organizational sustainability?

What can be done: Back to Work

Where does my organization fit into the bigger picture of green

procurement?Exercise…

1. What are the most obvious impacts my organization and its operations have on the environment and health of the surrounding community?

2. What could we change to make this better? (Don’t be afraid to think “big picture”!)

What can be done: Back to Work

How can I apply the eR/sR model to my policy or purchasing decisions?

Involve purchasing staffEncourage creativity and space to share ideas towards “greening”Make measurable goals and monitor performance Create incentivesEducate your staff and support their initiatives

What can be done: Back to Work

What tools can be created to enable organizations to fit into the eR/sR model of organizational sustainability?STRUCTURAL

CULTURALORGANIZATIONAL

Why?“Because there is no such

place as ‘away’…”

For more information, please contact:

Jennie Everett Caissiejennie@sevenstarevents.com

(828) 236-0324 ext. 113