ECOS – Buy better to build better: Driving public purchase towards truly green construction products

One sector in particular deserves more attention when considering the role of GPP: construction. The construction sector produces some of the most energy-intensive materials, such as cement and steel. Meanwhile, public projects account for 31% of the sector’s activities. Our new report clearly shows that introducing ambitious requirements for the highest polluting materials can save up to 19 million tonnes of emissions annually at minimal cost. That means lowering emissions from construction by a staggering 43% with upfront project cost increases at no more than 3-4%.

This report, based on an external study commissioned by ECOS, fills a gap in understanding the current state of GPP across the EU – and its important role in getting the sector’s emissions in check. Starting with an overview of the GPP landscape and spotlighting success stories, such as examples from Zurich, our findings are used to project ambitious scenarios on what is concretely needed to fully leverage GPP in the construction sector. It also identifies opportunities for actors from the whole construction value chain. Finally, in Section 4, ECOS sets out policy recommendations on how to move forward with a common GPP plan for Europe in the construction sector.