The Impact of Green Public Procurement in Western Balkan Countries

The sensitivity to environmental preservation toward ethical and sustainable economic growth has been at an all-time high in recent decades. Green public procurement (GPP) is a procedure in which public entities, such as governments or municipalities, purchase goods and services that have a lower environmental effect than conventional alternatives. GPP is gaining popularity in the Western Balkans as a strategy for promoting sustainable development and addressing environmental issues. The demand for recyclable products, energy-efficient systems, clean technology and fuels, is driving the adoption of ecologically responsible business practices. Private consumers are also encouraged to focus on green purchases. Considering that European public institutions consume 1.8 trillion euros per year (14% of European GDP), their involvement in a constant process of purchasing goods and services with low environmental impact can decisively influence sustainable development in Europe and stimulate eco-innovation. In this article, we will examine the adjustments that Western Balkan enterprises must adopt in order to take advantage of the possibilities of Green Public Procurement, as well as their capacity to do so. One of the important points that will be examined in this article is related to the innovation of the procurement process, taking international best practices that can be adapted to the characteristics of the countries of the Western Balkans, as well as to the innovative processes that these countries can compose and promote