Government purchasing fails green businesses and sustainability
Green Media Release
19 December 2006
The Government has failed in its purchasing decisions to support green businesses and failed to protect the environment,
a new report released today by the Green Party has shown.
“The Government has learned to talk the talk about environmentalism. But with some exceptions, its officials are failing
to walk the walk,” Greens Co-Leader and Economics Spokesperson Russel Norman says.
The Environmental Purchasing Reportcard, issued today, shows that very few Government departments are prioritising the
purchase of products endorsed with the Government’s own “Environmental Choice” label, 14 years after that label was
established.
“Approximately half of the 25 Government agencies examined either do not know whether they have purchased any
Environmental Choice products or, if they do know, have purchased none,” says Dr. Norman, also the Greens’ Economics
Spokesperson.
“Two very significant agencies, the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, made no
Environmental Choice purchases in 2005/06 and have given no indication that they intend to make any in the future.
“A large number of other agencies, including the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, are unable to provide any
information on whether they purchase Environmental Choice products, but have signalled that they aim to do better in the
future.
“Thankfully Ministry for the Environment showed their commitment to the programme by purchasing Environmental Choice
products in nine out of ten areas where they made purchases in 2005/06.
“If we are to move our economy towards sustainability, then the Government must show some leadership by supporting
businesses that have made the effort to make their products more sustainable and that have taken the trouble of getting
Environmental Choice approval.
“If the Government agencies don’t buy Environmental Choice products and don’t even keep track of whether they are
actually buying environmentally friendly products and services, then how can they possibly claim to be meeting
environmental goals of the Govt3 program?”
ENDS