The EcoProcura conference 2014 has opened a call for contributions for the Market Lounge section of the conference programme. The deadline for the submission of proposals is 24 April 2014.

The EcoProcura conference series is a European-wide forum to promote exchange and dialogue amongst purchasers from all levels of governments, suppliers, policy-makers and multipliers on strategies and the latest practical solutions on SPP. Each event now attracts 250 - 350 participants.

The Market Lounge allows participants to showcase their work, network, and benefit from in-depth discussions in small groups. The call is open to the following types of organisations:

• Local, national and regional governments 
• Public authorities such as universities, hospitals, schools, emergency services 
• Businesses, suppliers, manufacturers 
• Scientific / research organisations
• Other stakeholders

For further information about the call for contributions, please click here.

The world’s toughest CO2standards for new cars was voted through on Tuesday (25 February) by Members of the EU Parliament.

The new rules set a limit of 95 grams of CO2 per kilometre (g/km) as an average across all new cars sold in the EU, in comparison with the existing limit of 130 g/km.

The target was initially foreseen by the European Commission to apply from 2020, but subsequent to negotiation full implementation has been delayed for a year.

Leading car manufacturers lobbied hard for more time to implement the legislation, which they consider to be extremely challenging.

Environmental campaigners cautiously welcomed the move but, said the phase-in meant only 95 percent of new cars would meet the 95 g/km target in 2020.

Members of the Green Party voted against the draft law citing it as a weakening of the EU 2020 limits.

Final endorsement by member states is expected in a few weeks.

For more information, click here

Berlin’s police force purchases some 200 vehicles every year. Their most recent tender (from May 2012) saw the inclusion of a number of environmental and economic requirements as recommended by the European Clean Vehicles Directive.

In addition to including some basic environmental criteria as a requirement, the contract was awarded based on the life-cycle, energy and environmental costs of the vehicles.

The environmental costs were calculated based on a) fuel consumption, b) energy consumption, c) CO2 emissions, d) NOx, e) non-methane hydrocarbons and f) particulate matter.

The tendering procedure, the first of its kind using life-cycle costing (LCC) including green costs, proved successful and thus will be used again by the police force in the future.

For more information, read the full Green Public Procurement case study (pdf).