Bio-based public procurement seen as important policy solution

In Spain, public procurement is one of the most powerful tools governments have to shape markets and accelerate change. By integrating bio-based thinking into existing green public procurement (GPP) frameworks, public authorities can directly support climate goals, strengthen regional economies, and cut dependence on fossil-based inputs. Bio-based solutions, made from renewable resources, offer practical alternatives that directly help reduce emissions, close material loops, and replace virgin raw materials with circular ones.

At the bio-based public procurement training held in Barcelona, Spain in June, co-organised by the Bioregions Facility and the Government of Catalonia, experts from the Province of Zeeland joined Catalan institutions to share practical experiences and strategies. The following six insights reflect what emerged from their combined perspectives:

·      Political will: Political leadership sets the mandate for procurement teams to prioritise sustainability and support the bioeconomy.

·      Early collaboration: Engaging all relevant stakeholders early in the process helps prevent delays and leads to more effective and sustainable outcomes.

·      Tools and training: The right tools, data, and training empower procurement teams to apply sustainability criteria with consistency and ease.

·      Pilot projects: Pilots provide space to test innovative materials and methods while building trust and learning from experience.

·      Monitoring: Measuring progress before, during, and after projects ensures impact is real, not just stated.

·      Innovative legal pathways: Adaptive legal frameworks make it possible to test new approaches without fear of procedural penalties.