How to Successfully Decarbonize Public Procurement and Local Markets
Today in France, public procurement represents a colossal economic lever, but also an indispensable driver of the ecological transition. With the Climate and Resilience Act now in effect, decarbonization is no longer an option for buyers—it has become a structural requirement. Every public procurement decision must now be considered through the lens of its environmental impact, requiring institutions to revamp their selection criteria to prioritize low-carbon solutions.
However, shifting from a pricing policy to a strategy for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is proving to be complex. Between drafting requests for proposals, conducting life-cycle assessments of products, and verifying the data provided by companies, government agencies face a significant methodological challenge. The stakes are high: how can bids be objectively compared using reliable climate-based criteria while complying with the legal framework for public procurement?
To meet this sustainable development goal, the rollout of Spaser and the use of high-performance measurement tools are becoming priorities for the government and local authorities. The aim is to move beyond a purely administrative perspective and adopt a responsible approach capable of accurately quantifying the carbon footprint® of services and supplies. In today’s climate crisis, the ability of public procurers to select partners committed to conserving resources is the first step toward a truly carbon-neutral economy.
Contents
The New Regulatory Framework for Responsible Public Procurement in France
The shift in purchasing practices is taking place against the backdrop of an increasingly tight legislative timeline. The government has clearly defined public procurement as a tool for steering the transition to a low-carbon economy, requiring public sector entities to lead by example.
The Climate and Resilience Act and the 2026 Goals
The Climate and Resilience Act forms the foundation of this transformation. It requiresthat environmental criteria be incorporated into all public procurement contracts by August 2026. This major change means that price can no longer be the sole determining factor: environmental impact is now a scoring criterion in its own right. Purchasers must therefore now ensure that each contract directly contributes to the national goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
As of January 1, 2025, failure to comply with Article L.1431-3 of the Transportation Code—which was expanded in 2017 to include GHG emissions and is standardized under ISO 14083:2023, requiring carriers to provide accurate, traceable, and actionable reporting—is punishable by a fine (up to €3,000 per violation).
SPASER and Sustainable Procurement Planning
The Spaser (Framework for Promoting Socially and Economically Responsible Public Procurement) plays a pivotal role in structuring this approach. This strategy document enables local governments to define their priorities regarding sustainable development and environmental policy. By setting clear decarbonization goals for each supplier network, the Spaser ensures alignment between the region’s needs and France’s climate commitments.
The State as a Role Model and the European Framework
Beyond local requirements, the framework is reinforced by the National Plan for Sustainable Procurement (PNAD), which aims to ensure that 100% of public procurement incorporates environmental provisions. This initiative aligns with European directives, prompting public procurement experts to rethink their calls for bids. Successfully navigating this transition requires a detailed understanding of the resources and capabilities of the supplier market, in order to demand services that truly respect planetary boundaries.
The regulatory landscape is therefore very clear: public procurement must become a direct tool for combating global warming. However, for this policy to be effective, it must be based on accurate data that makes it possible to distinguish genuinely sustainable proposals from those that are merely window dressing.
What are the main regulations, standards and methodologies for GHG assessments?
Measuring the carbon footprint to ensure rigorous selection
Moving from intention to calculation is the major challenge facing the public sector. For decarbonization to be effective, buyers can no longer settle for mere promises from service providers. They must rely on rigorous calculation methods to assess the actualcarbon footprint of each proposal.
Comprehensive Analysis for a Holistic View of the Environment
Moving from intention to calculation is the major challenge facing the public sector. For decarbonization to be effective, buyers can no longer settle for mere promises from service providers. They must rely on rigorous calculation methods to assess the actualcarbon footprint of each proposal.
Comprehensive Analysis for a Holistic View of the Environment
A sustainable purchase is not judged solely on its immediate use, but on a product’s entire lifecycle. This approach makes it possible to quantify emissions from the extraction of raw materials through to final processing. Incorporating this metric into procurement processes helps promote solutions that truly minimize greenhouse gas emissions. For the public sector, this approach avoids the pitfall of “greenwashing” by focusing on physical, verifiable data.
The Challenge of Indirect Emissions (Scope 3)
The majority of a service’s carbon footprint® falls under what is known as Scope 3. This refers to the greenhouse gas emissions generated upstream by suppliers and their own subcontractors. Ignoring this aspect would mean overlooking a huge portion of a contract’s actual environmental impact. To achieve a significant reduction, institutions must encourage their partners to provide a detailed GHG assessment. This requirement becomes a powerful tool for transforming the entire production system by pushing suppliers to adopt more sustainable practices.
The Complexity of Balancing Different Cases
The main sticking point often lies in the inconsistency of the information received. How can aprocurement department compare two proposals if one uses a simplified calculation method and the other a comprehensive assessment? Without clear standards, environmental factors risk being misinterpreted or disputed.
Ensuring a sound selection of partners therefore requires specialized expertise. Consulting with experts or joining a network for sharing best practices helps to better structure the evaluation criteria. The challenge is to turn every procurement process into an opportunity to promote circular and resource-efficient management. At this stage, technology becomes an indispensable ally for automating this analysis and ensuring that financial decisions support the preservation of nature.
We aim to meet ministerial requirements and guidelines by promoting a more responsible approach to sports and raising awareness among our members and the general public.
Overcoming Complexity: Technology to Support Decision-Making
The role of carbon in publicprocurement is the missing link in an effective strategy. For government agencies, the main challenge is obtaining reliable information from private-sector actors. Without a clear picture ofthe carbon footprint of each service or product procured, the path toward a more sustainable model remains uncertain.
Ensure Secure Procurement with Decarbo’Tender®
This is where Decarbo’Tender® comes in—an innovative tool designed to integrate PCFs (Product Carbon Footprints) directly into bid documents. Rather than relying on vague claims, decision-makers can now compare proposals based on actual, audited performance. This method makes it possible to immediately identify the most environmentally responsible service providers and highlight those who are truly investing in low-carbon solutions.
- A dynamic perspective: Unlike a one-time assessment, this system provides precise tracking of the decline inGHG emissions.
- Bordeaux Métropole’s feedback during our webinar: The testimony from the procurement manager of this French metropolitan area speaks for itself. The structured integration of green indicators supports decision-making and ensures that every euro spent actively contributes to reducing carbon emissions.
A Major Lever for Institutions
By using these new tools, public services are taking on a whole new dimension. They are shifting from reactive management to proactive leadership, capable of responding to regulatory developments andgovernment expectations. The link between budgets and environmental outcomes then becomes crystal clear, making it easier to communicate with citizens about the effectiveness of services. Procurement policies thus become true drivers of progress.
It is now possible to turn every contract into a success for the planet. By finally gaining control over your suppliers’ data, you can restore meaning to your actions and ensure the resilience of your region.
Ultimately, accelerating decarbonization within each region has become a priority for limiting global warming. While thegovernment’s roadmap sets the course, success depends on buyers’ ability to translate actions into measurable results.
Controlling GHG emissions through responsible procurement is no longer an option. It is essential to ensure that every order supports the conservation of resources. By using a robust methodology and reliable tools, public utilities are finally able to precisely steer their course.
The link between performance and safeguarding the future lies at the heart of this transformation. Whether it involves managing services or fostering innovative companies, acting at the right scale is crucial. By drawing on expertise, industry news, and rigorous environmental indicators, every market can become a model of sustainability through visionary procurement policies.