In Poland, public procurement is governed by a network of institutions, each with a specific role in regulating, managing, or implementing procurement procedures, including the promotion of Green Public Procurement (GPP). Green Public Procurement refers to public purchasing that takes into account environmental sustainability and in the ChemClimCircle project we focus on the criteria related to reducing Chemicals, minimizing Climate impact and promoting Circularity.
Key Challenges and Developments in GPP in Poland:
- Awareness and Capacity Building: Public authorities in Poland are working to increase awareness and expertise on GPP through training, workshops, and guidelines.
- GPP Implementation: The integration of GPP in Poland is still evolving, with some sectors (e.g., waste management, energy) seeing more success than others. The Public Procurement Office(UZP), Ministry of Development and Technology (MRiT) and local governments are focusing on creating more standard templates and criteria for green procurement.
- EU Influence: Poland’s green procurement policies are heavily influenced by the EU, especially with the growing emphasis on the European Green Deal. This is pushing national and local authorities to adopt more ambitious GPP strategies.
- Distribution of responsibilities among many institutional actors: In Poland there are many institutions that play more or less significant role in promoting and implementing GPP. Sometimes synergies may be a benefit of the system, however, shared responsibility may dilute the strength of the measures implemented.
Here is a map of key institutions involved in Public Procurement in Poland, with special attention to their role in fostering Green Public Procurement:
1. Public Procurement Office (Urząd Zamówień Publicznych, UZP)
- Role in Public Procurement: The Public Procurement Office (UZP) is the main governmental body responsible for the overall regulation, monitoring, and enforcement of public procurement laws and policies in Poland. It plays a crucial role in ensuring that public contracts are awarded fairly and transparently.
- Green Public Procurement: UZP promotes sustainable public procurement practices, including Green Public Procurement (GPP). The office provides guidance on how to integrate environmental criteria into tender procedures, offers training, and supports public authorities in adopting sustainable practices in procurement.
2. Ministry of Development and Technology (Ministerstwo Rozwoju i Technologii, MRiT)
- Role in Public Procurement: This ministry oversees national development strategies, including sustainable development and innovation policies. It coordinates the implementation of EU funds and procurement policies.
- Green Public Procurement: The ministry encourages GPP as part of Poland’s national strategy for sustainable development. It supports integrating eco-friendly solutions into public procurement by aligning national policies with EU goals on sustainability and climate change.
3. Ministry of Climate and Environment (Ministerstwo Klimatu i Środowiska, MKiŚ)
- Role in Public Procurement: The Ministry of Climate and Environment provides guidance and oversight on public procurement in sectors like energy and infrastructure, ensuring that these activities comply with national environmental regulations and sustainability strategies.
- Green Public Procurement: The Ministry promotes the integration of environmental criteria in public contracts, focusing on renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable infrastructure to reduce the environmental impact of government procurement.
4. The National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management (Narodowy Fundusz Ochrony Środowiska i Gospodarki Wodnej, NFOŚiGW)
- Role in Public Procurement: This organization manages environmental funds and provides financial support for environmental projects. It is responsible for environmental protection initiatives across Poland.
- Green Public Procurement: NFOŚiGW plays a supporting role in GPP by financing projects that include sustainable procurement practices, especially in sectors like water management, energy, and waste management. The fund encourages public entities to include green criteria in contracts.
5. The Energy Regulatory Office (Urząd Regulacji Energetyki, URE)
- Role in Public Procurement: This office regulates the energy market in Poland, overseeing electricity and gas sectors.
- Green Public Procurement: URE supports the inclusion of green energy requirements in public procurement, especially in energy-related contracts. They help public bodies meet the requirements for renewable energy sourcing and energy efficiency, key components of GPP.
6. The Polish Agency for Enterprise Development (Polska Agencja Rozwoju Przedsiębiorczości, PARP)
- Role in Public Procurement: PARP supports the development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Poland, including their participation in public procurement.
- Green Public Procurement: PARP promotes GPP by helping businesses develop green products and services that can be offered in public tenders. The agency also educates SMEs on how to meet green criteria to participate in eco-friendly procurement opportunities.
7. Supreme Audit Office (Najwyższa Izba Kontroli, NIK)
- Role in Public Procurement: NIK is responsible for auditing public institutions, including their public procurement practices.
- Green Public Procurement: As part of its audits, NIK ensures that public institutions follow both national and EU regulations on GPP. It assesses the integration of green criteria and monitors how sustainable procurement policies are applied in practice.
8. Local Government Units (Samorządy)
- Role in Public Procurement: Local governments in Poland, such as municipalities and regional councils, are responsible for public procurement at the local level, particularly in areas like construction, transportation, and public services.
- Green Public Procurement: Local authorities are increasingly incorporating GPP into their procurement practices, especially in projects related to transportation, building energy efficiency, and waste management. Many local governments work with the Ministry of Development and UZP to align with national GPP strategies.
9. Public Sector Institutions (Organizacje Sektora Publicznego)
- Role in Public Procurement: Public Sector Institutionsin Poland, such as universities, museums and other not controlled by local authorities, are responsible for large portion of public procurement at the local level, particularly in areas like construction, transportation, and services.
- Green Public Procurement: Public Sector Institutionsare increasingly incorporating GPP into their procurement practices, especially in projects related to transportation, building energy efficiency, and waste management. Many public institutions work with the Ministry of Development, Ministry of Science, Ministry of Climate & Environment and UZP to incorporate GPP into their procurement strategies.
10. Environmental NGOs and Civil Society Organizations (Organizacje Pozarządowe i Społeczeństwo Obywatelskie)
- Role in Public Procurement: Although not formal government bodies, NGOs and civil society organizations often influence public procurement by lobbying for greener policies and practices.
- Green Public Procurement: These organizations advocate for stricter environmental standards in procurement processes and work with governmental bodies to ensure that GPP is a priority in national and local procurement strategies.
11. European Union (EU)
- Role in Public Procurement: Poland is a member of the EU, which plays a critical role in shaping public procurement regulations. EU directives, such as the 2014 Public Procurement Directives, influence Poland’s national procurement laws.
- Green Public Procurement: The EU sets targets and provides guidelines for GPP across member states, including Poland. EU funding programs, like those under the European Green Deal, often require green criteria in public procurement projects, especially when financing infrastructure, energy, and public transportation.
In conclusion, Poland’s public procurement ecosystem involves several key institutions that manage, regulate, and promote GPP. The government’s focus on sustainability, combined with EU directives and funding incentives, is driving progress toward integrating environmental concerns into public contracts.
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