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October 27, 2025
This report discusses the use of Type I Ecolabels for green public procurement (GPP) programs, and the use of EPDs in construction projects. It makes a recommendation to include EPDs in Type I Ecolabels for priority construction materials and products such as cement, concrete and steel, to support streamlined and interoperable reporting.
Many governments adopt Type I Ecolabels as a basis for their enterprise-wide green or sustainable procurement policies. Type I Ecolabels are third-party verified labels that indicate a product meets a threshold for specific environmental, and sometimes social, criteria. They streamline GPP and minimize administrative burden and are most often used for enterprise-wide green procurement or Scope 3 reporting.
Type III Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) include an actual measurement of greenhouse gas emissions for the product but they do not include a threshold. Many governments specify the use of EPDs for construction materials to support green project design and infrastructure planning. EPDs are most often used to support whole (construction) project life cycle assessment, and more recently for GPP commitments and product regulations for low-emission materials.
Type I Ecolabels and Type III EPDs are distinct yet compatible environmental reporting instruments. Combining them can reduce reporting burden by supporting both enterprise-wide GPP and green building programs.
The document was developed with support from UNIDO and the Industrial Deep Decarbonization Initiative (IDDI), with contributions from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) One Planet Network and EcoAdvance project, funded by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV), and Three Pillars Consulting (TPC), and in consultation with IDDI member governments.
Learn more details at the One Planet Network news center.
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October 23, 2025
Paris, 2025 – The Multi-Stakeholder Advisory Committee (MAC) of the One Planet Network Sustainable Public Procurement (SPP) Programme convened in Paris on 3 July 2025 to strengthen collaboration, align strategic priorities, and define next steps to scale implementation. Hosted by the 10YFP Secretariat alongside the programme co-leads: China Environmental United Certification Center under the Ministry of Ecology and Environment and Directorate: Sustainability (Integration & Reporting) of the Western Cape Provincial Department of Environmental Affairs & Development Planning.
The meeting brought together key partners to discuss strategies for positioning sustainable public procurement more prominently in global policy agendas. The discussions focused on reinforcing shared priorities across the SPP Programme, identifying synergies among partner initiatives, and outlining actions to better integrate SPP into global frameworks such as the Climate COP30, UNEA-7 and broader sustainable development and financing agendas. Participants reaffirmed their recognition of public procurement not only as a technical function but also as a strategic instrument with immense potential for delivering sustainability outcomes.
Participants underscored the importance of life-cycle approaches and cross-sectoral planning, especially in complex supply chains such as infrastructure and electronics. The discussions identified opportunities to ensure greater alignment and cooperation, particularly in addressing institutional fragmentation, enhancing reporting on SPP under SDG 12.7, and strengthening coordination between procurement authorities and sectoral ministries. The meeting highlighted practical entry points for action. Sustainable Public Food Procurement, particularly through school meal programmes, was recognized as a growing area of interest.
A set of proposed activity areas to guide future collaboration merged from the meeting discussions. These include enhanced technical support to Member States, stronger alignment across SPP Programme partners and UNEP, and efforts to raise the Programme’s visibility and influence in global sustainability processes. The meeting reaffirmed SPP’s role as a strategic driver of public sector transformation and sustainability action worldwide.
The SPP Programme extends its sincere thanks to all MAC members and partners for their continued support, and to those who joined the meeting in person in Paris or online, including the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority of Kenya, the Procurement Policy Office of Mauritius, the National Development Unit of the Ministry of National Infrastructure of Mauritius, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management of the Netherlands (DG Rijkswaterstaat), the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development of Senegal, the City of Malmö, the European Investment Bank (EIB), the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).
For more details at UNEP One Planet Network news center.
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October 20, 2025
Sustainability challenges are prompting us to rethink how we design, use, and dispose of our IT devices. This comprehensive guide explores the concept of circular IT, providing actionable insights to help you extend the lifespan of products, reduce e-waste, and lower your climate impact.
Climate change, resource depletion and the e-waste crisis — the world’s fastest-growing waste stream — are interconnected issues that are worsened by our tendency to treat electronic devices as short-lived consumables. The need for a circular approach to IT has never been more pressing, and many developments are happening in this area.
The guide “What and how: Circularity and IT products” is packed with expert knowledge and practical strategies for implementing circular, more responsible practices.
-From today to 2033: the shift from linear to circular
-Roadmap for Sustainable IT
-Reducing e-waste — the world’s fastest-growing waste stream
-Key factors for repairability in practice
-Circular criteria in TCO Certified
-Circular procurement in five steps
Whether you’re an IT buyer, manufacturer, or sustainability advocate, this guide is an essential tool for driving change. Download it now and get to the next level of circular IT.
More details at One Planet Network Knowledge Center.
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October 15, 2025
In Geneva at the World Resources Forum, Jorge Laguna Celis, Head of the One Planet Network (OPN), delivered a keynote address underscoring the urgency of accelerating circular and sustainable solutions.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Laguna Celis stressed that the world has a unique window of opportunity: to deliver solutions at scale that use fewer resources while providing greater benefits for people and planet. He noted that advancing circularity across industries is not optional—it is essential to achieving global sustainability targets and building resilience for future generations.
During his address, he set out four key priorities that should guide the transition:
-Design for enough, not more
-Harness AI & Digitalization to scale up circular economy solutions
-Compare, value and measure circular economy at business level
-Mobilize capital at scale and create markets that reward circularity
These actions, he emphasized, will help unlock innovation and create new opportunities for economies to grow within planetary boundaries. They will also help ensure that people everywhere can enjoy improved wellbeing, while industries reduce waste and dependence on scarce resources.
Mr. Laguna Celis thanked the World Resources Forum for convening such an important dialogue, bringing together leaders and stakeholders committed to addressing the challenges of resource efficiency, circularity, and sustainability. He highlighted the importance of platforms like the Forum to foster collaboration and accelerate the shift toward greater patterns of sustainable consumption and production worldwide.
Watch his full opening remarks here: Grand Opening & Keynotes.
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October 10, 2025
The European Union has launched a public consultation for its upcoming Circular Economy Act (CEA), a key step in its push towards a more circular economic model. The initiative invites businesses, civil society, and citizens globally to provide input on a new framework for sustainable production.
A New Market for Circularity
The European Commission plans to propose a Circular Economy Act to enhance the EU’s economic security and competitiveness, while promoting more sustainable production, circular economy business models, and decarbonization. The Act will facilitate the free movement of ‘circular’ products, secondary raw materials, and waste. It will also increase the supply of high-quality recycled materials and stimulate demand for these materials in the EU.
The CEA will build on existing frameworks with the objective of creating a robust single market for secondary raw materials. It aims to increase the supply of high-quality recycled materials and stimulate market demand, making them a more viable alternative to virgin resources.
Key areas under discussion include:
Design for Circularity: The Act will explore comprehensive obligations for product design, making goods easier to repair, reuse, and recycle.
"Right to Repair": The CEA is expected to strengthen "Right to Repair" initiatives, ensuring consumer access to affordable spare parts and repair services.
Sustainable Public Procurement: The consultation is gathering input on how governments can use public procurement to actively create a market for circular products and services.
Stakeholder Engagement
The consultation has already seen a proactive response from industry. Businesses and industry associations are engaging directly to help draft workable legislation.
"This is a crucial moment for businesses to get ahead of the curve," a representative from a leading European business association stated. "By providing feedback now, companies can ensure the final legislation is both ambitious and practical, setting a level playing field that rewards innovation in circular business models."
The CEA’s focus on harmonization also aims to simplify compliance for companies operating across multiple Member States, reducing administrative burdens and creating a clear pathway for circular innovations to scale.
How to Respond
The public consultation for the Circular Economy Act is open to a broad range of stakeholders, both within and outside the EU.
Who Can Respond?
Businesses and Industry Associations: All companies are welcome to provide input on how new rules will affect their operations.
NGOs and Environmental Groups: These organizations ensure the Act is ambitious and delivers on its environmental goals.
Government Authorities: National, regional, and local governments are invited to share their experiences.
Academics and Researchers: Researchers and universities are encouraged to provide evidence-based feedback.
Individual Citizens: Anyone with an interest in product durability, the right to repair, or waste reduction can share their opinion.
How to Take Part
Respondents can participate through the European Commission's official "Have Your Say" portal. This is the centralized platform where all feedback is collected. The portal provides a structured questionnaire and allows for the submission of supporting documents.
The public consultation is open until November 6, 2025.
To take part in the consultation, please visit the official "Have Your Say" portal here.
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