Procurement

The University of Galway Sustainability Strategy 2021-2025 commits to: "Implement best practise nationally for sustainable  procurement and develop a sustainable procurement charter and a green code of conduct for suppliers. All newly procured contractors and those seeking contract renewals shall have a sustainability policy/ charter, reflecting our commitment to sustainable development and to doing business with partners that have made a similar commitment."

University of Galway, in line with our Procurement Policy 2023, incorporates the use of sustainable, green and ethical practices in our processes and procedures. Clause 15 of the Procurement Policy relates to sustainability and commits the University to working with the relevant Government agencies to develop green procurement criteria that will be used where relevant when tendering for goods, services and works. 

In incorporating sustainable and social considerations into tenders, Units need to ensure that:

• the sustainable and social consideration does not result in discrimination,
• sustainable and social considerations are linked to the subject matter of the contract,
• value for money is maintained to ensure sustainable delivery of services,
• the objective of the sustainable and social consideration is proportionate to the contract,
• the targeted benefit is capable of being measured and monitored during the execution of the contract (the necessary staffing, arrangements and resources should be allocated to this task having regard to the principle of proportionality), and
• the clauses do not negatively impact on the SME sector.

The University of Galway Sustainable Public Procurement Handbook provides guidance on ways to reduce environmental impact, promote economic development, and support social responsibility when purchasing goods and services. The Handbook includes sections on: legal requirements, pre-procurement, preparing tender documents, evaluating tenders, life-cycle costing, contract award, and contract management, monitoring and reporting. The annex to the Handbook provides sustainable public procurement criteria for various categories. 

The following are sample award criteria for categories where no specific sustainable public procurement criteria exist or where they are not deemed appropriate/sufficient.

• Addressing environmental impacts or risks, e.g. Greenhouse gas emissions; Air, water or soil pollution; Waste management; Management of chemicals or hazardous substances; Material use and recycling; Energy and water use; Biodiversity and land use.
• Addressing the social impacts or risks, e.g. Low pay or poor working conditions; Compliance with labour law; Human rights in supply chains; Ethical trade; Gender equality and equal pay; Accessibility for people with disabilities; Social inclusion.

We recognise that Sustainable Public Procurement requires changes to the entire procurement cycle: from budgeting and planning to tendering and managing contracts and the need to clearly communicate our expectations to bidders and contractors. University of Galway values the relationships we have with our suppliers. The University of Galway Supplier Charter‌ sets out how we want those relationships to be based on our values of Openness, Respect, Excellence and Sustainability.  

Ethical sourcing of food and other supplies

University of Galway is committed to the ethical sourcing of food and other supplies. Our Sustainability Strategy, Procurement Policy and Sustainable Public Procurement Handbook all cover the sustainable, green and ethical sourcing of goods, services and supplies. We have specific requirements on the sourcing of food:

• Our Sustainability Strategy prioritises increasing the availability of sustainable, locally sourced, affordable and fairly traded food options in campus outlets. It also commits to providing fish from sustainable sources, and ensuring that animal welfare standards are adhered to.
• Our Waste Reduction, Reuse and Recycling Guidelines stipulate that caterers to the university (including food suppliers) must undertake the ethical sourcing of eggs, fish and seasonal produce and the use of responsibly sourced products where possible.
• Our Procurement Policy 2023 states we must incorporate Green Procurement practices in our processes and procedures - procuring goods, services and works with a reduced environmental impact throughout their life cycle.
• Through collaboration with suppliers and campus initiatives, University of Galway actively promotes ethical and sustainable food systems, focusing on reducing waste, supporting local suppliers and offering plant-based options.

National legislation and guidance

Irish legislation and guidance on green public procurement (also known as sustainable public procurement) has been strengthened in recent years. For some products and services, green public procurement is mandated under Irish or EU law. In all cases, it is compatible with procurement law and with other objectives such as transparency and value for money. It contributes to important targets in terms of Climate Action, the Circular Economy and the Sustainable Development Goals.

The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Acts require public bodies to perform their functions in a manner consistent with the Climate Action Plan and other national climate objectives, including the procurement requirements set out in the Public Sector Climate Action Mandate. 

Circular 20/2019, published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, promotes the use of environmental and social considerations in public procurement and provides Government Departments with information and instructions for including green criteria across all their procurement processes.  

The Green Public Procurement Strategy and Action Plan 2024-2027 includes information, and actions, on: Policy and Legislative context at national and EU level; A mandate to accelerate Green Public Procurement implementation; A focus on key sectors with associated Green Public Procurement related targets; Monitoring and reporting; Training and awareness; EU and international partnership; Market engagement, networks and knowledge sharing; Research and innovation; Green Public Procurement Strategy and Action Plan monitoring, evaluation and review.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has published Guidance on Green Public Procurement, a practical resource tool, designed to assist procurers to build green criteria into public tenders. It includes specific criteria for: Transport; ICT; Food and Catering; Cleaning Products and Services; Office Buildings; Indoor and Outdoor Lighting; Heating Equipment; Energy-related Products; Paper and Printing; Textiles; Furniture.