The adoption of green purchasing policies in Slovak municipalities is limited, with only about one-third having formal procedures, and significant barriers include decentralization and prioritization of the lowest price over sustainability.
Successful policy implementation depends on strong leadership, interdepartmental collaboration, employee training, clear sustainability targets, and greater reliance on eco-labels and certificates.
Improving green procurement calls for more resources, comprehensive standards, centralized information, and promotion of best practices to motivate municipalities and drive meaningful change in public purchasing.
“One of the main challenges of the public procurement system is transforming it from a mere instrument for securing purchases into a strategic component of public policies that aims to help society address today’s grand challenges, such as global warming, energy crises, and post-COVID recovery," says Darnall.Read the full report.