Government Procurement Opportunities and the Green Economy Jennie Everett Caissie Director of Government Business Development Seven-Star, Inc: America’s Green Event Experts

Objectives You should leave this session… With a different perspective on the green economy Able to identify green businesses and what they can do in their own operations to be environmentally responsible and socially respectful And… Empowered with tools to make greener choices in their respective organizations

The eR/ sR business What does it mean to be environmentally responsible and socially respectful as a business or organization? Why is it important to be eR/sR? Where does the eR/sR model fit in business or government procurement initiatives? What can businesses or government organizations do to enhance their eR/sR? Does eR/sR have anything to do with ISO Environmental Management Systems?

The eR/ sR business What does it mean to be environmentally responsible (eR) and socially respectful (sR) as a business or organization? “Green businesses operate in ways that solve, rather than cause, both environmental and social problems. These businesses adopt principles, policies, and practices that improve the quality of life for their customers, their employees, communities, and the environment.” (Source:

The eR/ sR business Why is it important to be eR/sR? The United Nations 1998 Human Development Report reveals that, “Globally, the 20% of the world’s people in the highest-income countries account for 86% of total private consumption expenditures—the poorest 20% a minuscule 1.3%” (Source: This is not sustainable….

The eR/ sR business Where does the eR/sR model fit in business or government procurement initiatives? ENTER… The Triple Bottom Line PEOPLEPLANETPROFIT SOCIALENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMIC

The eR/ sR business What can businesses or government organizations do to enhance their eR/sR? – Establish goals and a timeline to be eR/ sR – Integrate eR/ sR values with culture of organization – Involve employees in decisions – Implement new programs and evaluate existing programs (Do they help or hinder eR/ sR goals?)

The eR/ sR business Does eR/sR have anything to do with ISO Environmental Management Systems? Funny you should ask…

Green Business in America Degrees of “greenness” among businesses in today’s market Green business attributes and existing green business opportunities Green businesses and government procurement requirements What are green products? What are green services?

Green Business in America Degrees of “greenness” among businesses in today’s market green washing Danger of “green washing” Ask yourself: What are the inputs and outputs involved in this product/ service/ purchase?

Green Business in America Green business attributes and existing green business opportunities Remember… eR/ sR

Green Business in America Green businesses and government procurement requirements …People …Planet …Profit

Green Business in America What are green products? Green products may have some of the following attributes: Certified organic or use organic materials/ ingredients Fair trade Local to the purchaser Has a non-polluting production and transport process Has reduced or no need for packaging Is recyclable, compostable, reusable Made of non-toxic materials

Green Business in America What are green services? Consider employee Consider materials used in service Consider externalities of service

Green Procurement--- What, why, and how…. Short introduction to green procurement Federal and other requirements for green purchasing Existing hurdles to buying the greenest products or services Opportunities and solutions for governments and businesses alike

Green Procurement--- What, why, and how…. Short introduction to green procurement Green Procurement refers to the purchase of goods and services that are environmentally preferable in one of the following ways: Made of recycled content Made of recovered content Biobased Remanufactured Energy or water efficient Non-toxic, non-ozone depleting

Green Procurement--- What, why, and how…. Federal and other requirements for green purchasing Executive Order “Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy, and Transportation Management” Executive Order “Greening the Government Through Leadership in Environmental Management” The Resource Conservation Act of 1976 (Section 6002) The Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Section 9002) FAR 7,11,12,13,23,36,52 Many other federal and state requirements And… Because it is the right thing to do!

Green Procurement--- What, why, and how…. Existing hurdles to buying the greenest products or services GovernmentBusinessGreen Business Complicated systems Multiple requirements= Confusion on priority considerations Cultural barriers Lack of oversight, enforcement Existing contracts Focus on bottom line only Negative perceptions of government Existing demand balances existing supply Lack resources to compete in government market Less visible to government purchasers

Green Procurement--- What, why, and how…. Opportunities and solutions for governments and businesses alike Learn about how to be “green” Shift organizational culture Invest in “green” Make logical and reasonable goals BUT… DO NOT be afraid to make hard, tough choices for change!

What can be done: Back to Work Where does my organization fit into the bigger picture of green procurement? How can I apply the eR/sR model to my policy or purchasing decisions? What tools can be created to enable organizations to fit into the eR/sR model of organizational sustainability?

What can be done: Back to Work Where does my organization fit into the bigger picture of green procurement? Exercise… 1.What are the most obvious impacts my organization and its operations have on the environment and health of the surrounding community? 2.What could we change to make this better? (Don’t be afraid to think “big picture”!)

What can be done: Back to Work How can I apply the eR/sR model to my policy or purchasing decisions? Involve purchasing staff Encourage creativity and space to share ideas towards “greening” Make measurable goals and monitor performance Create incentives Educate your staff and support their initiatives

What can be done: Back to Work What tools can be created to enable organizations to fit into the eR/sR model of organizational sustainability? STRUCTURAL CULTURALORGANIZATIONAL

Why? “Because there is no such place as ‘away’…” For more information, please contact: Jennie Everett Caissie (828) ext. 113