Public procurement is a foundational instrument of governance. It not only enables the functioning of government but also shapes markets, steers industrial behavior, and channelizes investments towards national priorities. Globally, public procurement accounts for an estimated USD 9.5 trillion, representing around 12% of GDP in OECD countries and up to 30% in developing economies, underscoring its significance. Public procurement-linked activity is estimated to account for nearly 15% of greenhouse gas emissions globally.

Goal 12.7 of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) seeks to promote public procurement practices that are sustainable, in accordance with national policies and priorities. Globally, Green public procurement (GPP) is recognized as a core instrument within sustainable public procurement (SPP) or strategic procurement along with socially responsible public procurement and innovation procurement. GPP integrates environmental, resource efficiency, and lifecycle considerations into procurement through standards, technical specifications, ecolabels, certification systems, and life-cycle based criteria.