1. © ICLEI 2012 www.iclei.org Harnessing the power of public procurement Mark Hidson Deputy Regional Director ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability

2. © ICLEI 2012 www.iclei.org ICLEI – an introduction ●The leading global network of 12 mega-cities, 100 super-cities and urban region, 450 large cities and 450 small and medium - sized cities and towns ●Mission is to build and serve a worldwide movement of local governments to achieve tangible improvements in global sustainability with special focus on environmental conditions through cumulative local actions. ●ICLEI is also a lead partner in the European STTC for local governments

3. © ICLEI 2012 www.iclei.org Why procurement? ●Public sector accounts for 15% of the timber and paper sold in Europe – huge potential market driver ●What timber-based products do public authorities buy? Some examples: ●Building and civil construction works, furniture (office and outdoor), playground items, flooring, fencing, office paper, packaging, Etc.

4. © ICLEI 2012 www.iclei.org Sustainable timber in public procurement ●An increasing number of local and regional authorities have sustainable timber purchasing policies ●High profile political issue ●But, several challenges faced: ●Strict legal framework for public procurement ●Concerns about verifying sustainable origin of timber ●Budgetary restrictions

5. © ICLEI 2012 www.iclei.org Sustainable Timber Action (STA) ●European project supported by EuropeAid programme – runs from April 2011 to Nov 2013 www.sustainable-timber-action.org ●Designed to provide assistance to public authorities in purchasing sustainable timber products, and to try and ensure the benefits of the timber trade reach forest communities themselves ●Buying Sustainable Timber Guide just published ●Partners: COPADE, FSC Italia, Madrid, Rakvere, Miskolc, ALEA, ANCI

6. © ICLEI 2012 www.iclei.org Procura+ Campaign & Seminar ●Procura+ Campaign - an initiative designed to help support public authorities in implementing sustainable procurement – and help promote their achievements ●34 participating local authorities from 14 countries – latest participant: Rotterdam ●Procura+ Seminar – Annual series of European workshops on the topic of sustainable procurement – this year combined with the Creating Sustainable Timber Markets conference www.procuraplus.org

7. © ICLEI 2012 www.iclei.org Afternoon session ●What is the legal framework for sustainable timber procurement? ●Introduction to the STA Buying Sustainable Timber Guide ●Good practice presentations: ●Amsterdam ●Cognac ●Leicester

8. © ICLEI 2012 www.iclei.org Thank you mark.hidson@iclei.org www.sustainable-procurement.org