The first phase of the project saw the development of a procurement transportation CO2 footprinting methodology, and it's successful application in the three core cities of Copenhagen, Oslo and Rotterdam. Based on this, each city went through a prioritisation exercise to identify two procurement areas where they would focus their work within the project. The final phase of the project focused on the development of innovative procurement plans for the priority sectors identified - namely: maintenance and repair (craftsmen) contracts, construction materials consolidation, facility waste collection and consolidation of goods deliveries.
To this end, each city carried out a series of in depth market consultation activities, together with wider research, to identify potential pathways to zero emission delivery of contracts in each procurement area. A group of observer cities engaged closely with the project to also explore whether the approaches developed could be replicated within their context. A website, visual identity, newsletter and social media presence have also been developed and maintained throughout the project. The project has been presented at a large number of European events appropriate for reaching the target group, including a final results workshop in Brussels.
The principle outcomes of the project were as follows:
• A set of innovative procurement approaches, covering a range of product, works and service procurement categories, developed by each of the core cities for their focal areas. These are clearly documented, providing detailed descriptions of the precise approach followed to allow for replication within other cities
• The BuyZET Handbook, providing recommendations on how to use procurement to promote zero emission delivery of goods and services, based on the approaches developed by the core cities, as well as providing more general advice
• A methodology for mapping the CO2 and transportation footprint of a local government’s procurement activities, to allow informed choices as to where to prioritise procurement efforts.
• A series of publications from the Observer Cities Group, on how the approaches investigated may be replicated in their context
• Substantial outreach and dissemination activities aimed at making sure the target group of the project is informed about the outcomes and publications available.