THE EU GREEN PUBLIC ROCUREMENT AS A POLICY TOOL TO IMPLEMENT THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY

Abstract

The transition to a circular economy is essential for environmental sustainability and serves as a strategic approach for achieving long-term economic stability, social equity, and resilience. Green public procurement (GPP) is closely intertwined with the concept of the circular economy, and both play a pivotal role in influencing sustainable development. The EU provides guidelines for GPP that align with circular economy principles, encouraging public authorities to opt for products and services with lower environmental impacts and higher resource efficiency. GPP establishes high environmental performance standards, reduces waste, enhances resource efficiency, and promotes the reuse and recycling of materials. The implementation of GPP offers benefits for the environment, economic growth, and social well-being, but challenges such as consistent application, market readiness, and higher initial costs persist. The research indicates that GPP can make a significant contribution to sustainability objectives and emphasizes the necessity of supportive policies to promote broader adoption of GPP practices. By aligning policy initiatives with sustainable procurement practices, the EU member states aim to foster a more robust, resource-efficient, and environmentally conscious economy. Such a comprehensive approach not only addresses environmental issues but also fuels economic and social progress.