Regional Public and Private Sector Green Purchasing/Procurement: Investigation, Analysis and Guidance

Abstract

Across the world, complex social and market forces are driving green purchasing (GP) as an instrument to negate the steep environmental price paid for global development. The ultimate aim is to promote environmentally preferable products and services by greening the market supply and demand chain. Although Hong Kong is defined by its advance economic infrastructure, green purchasing is established only in the Government and large foreign-based multi-national overseas corporations. It has yet to be a mainstream practice in the general business sector. This study aimed to evaluate evidence-based factors to assist the development of GP in the local private sector, notably from the perspective of a Non-Government Organization (NGO). The study developed a conceptual model to investigate the facilitators and barriers of private sector GP using the case of Hong Kong. The validity of this model was tested through the collection of data via a number of surveys. In the first stage of the study, public opinion on GP was investigated through a street intercept questionnaire survey in 2006. It was found that the concept of GP was well understood by the general population, which signifies a potential green market is in place. In the next stage, the conceptual model was tested through a survey of attitudes and experiences of GP among practitioners in the business sector. The process involved an initial questionnaire survey, followed by statistical scrutiny. In order to obtain more practical information, a follow-up descriptive survey with open-ended questions was performed with 60 participants from the original survey. Lack of guidance was clearly identified as a major obstacle by the surveys. To look for practical ways to providing guidance, the synergistic relationship between Government Green Purchasing (GGP), Private Green Purchasing and ecolabelling was investigated. It is concluded that ecolabelling is a time-proven instrument to provide such guidance and the government plays a crucial to expedite growth of green markets and the labelling system.