Green public procurement (GPP) takes place when contracting authorities also use environmental criteria to decide who to buy goods or services from. Examples include energy-efficient computers, fuel efficient fleets for public transport, green cleaning products and sustainable construction products.

Public Authorities in Ireland are major consumers with total purchasing power estimated at over € 15billion. The scale of this procurement is such that if environmental criteria are incorporated into the procurement process this can act to stimulate the market for sustainable goods and services and leverage innovation.