Manama: The Ministry of Electricity and Water Affairs has announced the organisation of a workshop titled Green Procurement, which aims to promote best practices in adopting green public procurement policies and highlight the importance of green procurement in building a more sustainable economy.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the workshop is scheduled for February 10-11 and will involve representatives from various government entities. Yasser bin Ibrahim Humaidan, the Minister of Electricity and Water Affairs, emphasized Bahrain's commitment to balancing economic growth with environmental protection. He highlighted the Kingdom's ongoing initiatives across multiple sectors to reduce carbon emissions, enhance energy efficiency, and decrease reliance on non-renewable resources.
These initiatives are in line with the National Energy Strategy, which targets a 30% reduction in emissions by 2035 and aims for carbon neutrality by 2060. Humaidan stated that the Ministry is collaborating with relevant entities to advance environmental sustainability by supporting green procurement and encouraging businesses to adopt sustainable practices. This approach is intended to drive a sustainable economy and bolster Bahrain's role in integrating sustainability into its economic policies.
The minister further noted that promoting green procurement in Bahrain enhances its leadership in sustainability by establishing a framework for the public sector. He added that the adoption of efficient, sustainable products and services would result in cost savings over time and assist government entities in embracing eco-friendly practices.
The workshop will be led by Andreas Karner, a Senior Consultant for Energy and Environment at ConPlusUltra. With over 25 years of experience in managing international projects related to renewable energy and energy efficiency, Karner has previously worked with organizations such as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO).
Key topics to be covered in the workshop include an overview of green public procurement policies and frameworks, criteria for integrating them into government procurement processes, a review of best international practices, key sectors that can adopt these policies, and the importance of monitoring their implementation to ensure the achievement of intended environmental and economic objectives.