A new coalition launched this week in Brussels aims to make green public procurement (GPP) the default approach in Europe’s construction sector.
The “Buy Better to Build Better” (BBBB) initiative unites 35 organisations from across industry, public authorities and civil society – in a call for the EU to use its purchasing power to boost sustainability and competitiveness.
The coalition argues that public procurement — which accounts for 15% of EU GDP — is a powerful but underused tool to advance low-carbon and circular construction.
“The EU desperately needs public procurement measures that boost competitiveness and circular and low-carbon solutions,” said Tudor Cherhat, Programme Manager at ECOS, co-convenor of the initiative. “Our coalition proves there is appetite for this across the board.”
BBBB calls for simplified, harmonised procurement criteria, standardised EU-wide tracking and continued support for public authorities.
It also urges an overhaul of procurement rules that still focus primarily on lowest price, with more than half of contracts currently awarded on cost alone.
The construction sector, where public procurement represents 31% of investment, is seen as a high-impact starting point.
“This coalition represents a key opportunity to accelerate meaningful change by advancing construction and public procurement practices that prioritise truly low-carbon and circular materials,” said Alexandre Marin of RIVA Group.
The BBBB initiative aligns with the EU’s Clean Industrial Deal and proposed reforms to make sustainable solutions more affordable and scalable across Europe.
