Green Public Procurement under WTO Law: Experience of the EU and Prospects for Switzerland

This book explores the strategic use of public procurement to establish "buying green" as a common practice worldwide, while balancing trade concerns and environmental potential. It analyzes the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA) provisions and their implementation by the EU and Switzerland, proposing practical solutions for designing GPP policies and measures in compliance with the GPA.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 233 pages
Publication date: 01 September 2021
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This book delves into the strategic utilization of public procurement as a means to promote the adoption of "buying green" as a widespread practice, not just within the EU but across the globe. However, the imposition of environmental requirements in public procurement may impact the competitiveness between suppliers, particularly between local and foreign entities. This is particularly significant for signatory states to the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA), a plurilateral WTO agreement aimed at liberalizing public procurement markets. Thus, the question arises: how can these countries strike a harmonious balance between trade concerns and harnessing the environmental potential of public procurement? What latitude does the GPA 2012 provide for environmental criteria, and how are signatory states leveraging it? The urgency to address these questions is heightened by the growing prevalence of green public procurement (GPP).

In order to address this complex issue, the book adopts a multifaceted approach. Firstly, an in-depth analysis of the relevant GPA provisions serves to delineate the legal framework for GPP under WTO law. Secondly, a comprehensive evaluation of the implementation of these provisions at the regional and national levels by the EU and Switzerland sheds light on the impact of the GPA on its signatory states. While the book primarily focuses on the legal aspects of GPP, it also takes into account the latest developments in jurisprudence and policy initiatives. Ultimately, the book proposes practical solutions regarding the specific design of GPP policies and measures in compliance with the GPA.

The comparative approach employed in the book, focusing on the implementation of the WTO/GPA by two selected signatories, makes it an informative and insightful resource for practitioners, policymakers, and legal scholars alike. By examining the experiences and strategies of these countries, the book offers valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities associated with promoting green procurement in a global context.

Weight: 397g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030482169
Edition number: 1st ed. 2020