Sustainable growth and development require minimization of the natural resources and toxic materials used and of the waste and pollutants generated throughout the entire production and consumption process. We need to do more with less, pollute less, and we need to re- and upcycle what we yesterday called waste. Danish consulting engineers work with national and local governments, producers, consumers, business organisations and the general public to promote sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources, including food, water and energy consumption. For instance, Danish consulting engineers prepare national and local waste management strategies and plans and develop training programmes and strengthening capacity of governmental organisations in all aspects of responsible consumption.
PROJECT: HUGE UNTAPPED SDG POTENTIAL IN SUSTAINABLE PROCUREMENT
About 80 percent of greenhouse gas emissions from a municipality comes from the procurement of services and goods, so with the right social and environmental criteria towards the supplier in the procurement process there is a huge potential for improvements. By holding a four-year contract with the Danish Environmental Protection Agency, NIRAS is the manager of the Danish Secretariat for Green Procurement, which includes the development of tools and calculations methods for public and private procurement consultants, enabling them to calculate and choose the most sustainable products. The Secretariat supports partnerships where 12 organizations, a.o. the municipalities of Copenhagen and Aarhus, voluntarily develop ambitious sustainable procurement goals. The partnerships work with market maturation that provides financial basis for sustainable product and service innovation, not only in Denmark, but internationally including in the middle-income developing countries.
COUNTRY:
COMPANY: NIRAS
SECONDARY GOALS: 12 & 13