As public procurement constitutes a significant share of public expenditure and influences entire markets, Green Public Procurement is increasingly recognised as a high-impact lever of change. The Green Governance Day will serve as a high-level platform placing sustainability at the heart of political and practical action, enabling cities, institutions, and networks to shape the future together.
The conference will provide a platform for dialogue on sustainable public governance – highlighting how innovative procurement policies, cross-sector cooperation, and evidence-based decision making can accelerate the green transition.
“Public procurement is no longer just about spending well – it’s about spending with purpose. Every euro spent can help tackle the climate crisis, advance circular solutions, phase out harmful chemicals, and stimulate the innovation we need for a truly sustainable future,”
– Evelin Piirsalu, Senior Expert at the Stockholm Environment Institute, Tallinn Centre.
Through keynote presentations, policy examples and city-level “lighthouse” cases, the Green Governance Day will explore how European cities and governments are transforming public procurement into an engine for sustainable growth. Speakers from Estonia, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Latvia and Lithuania will present pioneering policies, success stories and future-oriented strategies.
“To truly advance circular economy and climate goals, procurement must prioritise criteria on hazardous substances alongside circularity and carbon footprint – without this, we risk undermining our ambitions,”
– Hannamaria Yliruusi, Senior Lecturer & Expert on Green Public Procurement at the Turku University of Applied Sciences.
By convening this dialogue, the Green Governance Day seeks to promote green public procurement as a key political issue in Europe, reinforce the importance of public governance as a driver for the green transition, and enhance the visibility of ongoing regional cooperation.
The event is organised with the support of the INTERREG Baltic Sea Region projects NonHazCity3 and ChemClimCircle2, whose partners aim to advance sustainable governance through innovation, collaboration and knowledge exchange.
More information about the event: https://interreg-baltic.eu/event/save-the-date-green-governance-day-2025/