Source · Select Committees · Environmental Audit Committee

Recommendation 33

33 Acknowledged Paragraph: 180

The Government has committed to using public procurement to drive demand for low-carbon industrial products...

Conclusion
The Government has committed to using public procurement to drive demand for low-carbon industrial products and expects whole-life carbon assessments to be undertaken in respect of all public works projects. The extent to which this expectation is met, and the impact it has had on procurement practice, is unclear. Guidance that contracting authorities should consider environmental impacts when undertaking public procurement is little more than advisory.
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the lack of clarity and highlights the UK's work with the Industrial Deep Decarbonisation Initiative (IDDI) to establish common principles for whole life carbon and reporting of public construction.
Paragraph Reference: 180
Government Response Acknowledged
HM Government Acknowledged
In March 2021, the UK Government published its Industrial Decarbonisation Strategy. increase the demand for low carbon alternatives. The UK is working internationally through the Industrial Deep Decarbonisation Initiative (IDDI) to establish a common roadmap and principles for whole life carbon and reporting of public construction. This will further strengthen the requirements for environmental impact considerations. More detailed information can be found in the responses to recommendations 36 and 37.