Background

Following an announcement in the 2008 budget, The Centre of Expertise in Sustainable Procurement (CESP) was established within OGC with an initial focus on environmental sustainability reflecting the government's current priorities within the wider sustainability agenda.  The announcement of the establishment of CESP was further developed in the Government's response (PDF, 986KB) to the SDC's 6th annual SDiG report.

The UK government has set itself the goal of becoming one of the leaders in sustainable procurement within the EU by 2009; and of achieving ambitious forward targets for sustainable operations on the government estate.

Two key levers to enable this change across central government are public procurement, where the UK government spends £175bn annually, and the operation and management of the civil estate, worth around £30bn.  These levers provide an opportunity for government to show leadership in the sustainable operations and procurement agenda, providing a flagship for the wider public sector and private sector to consider.

The sustainability agenda is broad, covering environmental, social and economic aspects, so it is important to explain that CESP has been established solely with a focus on environmental sustainability at this stage.

UK government policy seeks to reduce the harmful effects of human contribution to climate change, as well as reduce the impacts of negative resource depletion as a result of human consumption patterns and population growth. To this end the government has established key goals in relation to environmental sustainability, expecting to see this delivered across central government as an example of leadership for change.

Firstly, there are goals for Sustainable Operations for the Government Estate (SOGE) announced by the Prime Minister in 2006 which all central government departments and Executive Agencies have agreed and have now signed up to achieving. These common goals include the reduction of carbon emissions from offices and road travel, waste reduction, increased recycling and reduced water consumption. There are also Mandated Mechanisms for departments to implement, including requirements for new builds to meet BREEAM excellent standards, and for central departments to have implemented accredited Environment Management Systems, for example.

Secondly the government has set goals on sustainable procurement for central departments in its Sustainable Procurement Action Plan in 2007. These include initiatives to strengthen leadership across central government, build capacity in terms of skills and knowledge and raise standards through mandatory requirements for purchasing goods (including 'Quick Wins' product standards).

CESP was established to provide leadership on and a central focus for, environmental sustainable procurement and operations across the government estate. Everything we do is geared to helping central government departments meet their sustainable procurement and operations commitments, that collectively contribute to the governments' overall forward objectives.  We are positioned within the OGC to help develop OGC's own capability and capacity to deliver sustainability, as well as to ensure we use the available procurement and operations levers at our disposal as an organisation.

We bring together a number of different communities around a common agenda and vision for the future. These include expert bodies such as the Carbon Trust Energy Savings Trust, WRAP and Waterwise; estates and commercial communities within central government; environmental practitioners across Whitehall.; and wider public sector and private sector practitioners.The announcement of the establishment of CESP was further developed in the Government's response to the SDC's 6th annual SDiG report.