Governments Adopt Corporate Strategies for Climate-Friendly Procurement at COP30

At COP30 in Bèlem, Brazil, 35 countries signed a new declaration signaling a significant commitment to embed sustainability into public procurement policies. This move aligns with a growing global trend where governments are learning from corporate climate procurement strategies to accelerate clean, competitive industries.

Key Commitments from the Declaration

The collective plan focuses on:

• Integrating sustainability criteria into procurement policies.
• Expanding green procurement across more spending areas and supporting local green markets.
• Engaging diverse communities in shaping solutions.
• Collaborating internationally to share knowledge, track progress, and build institutional capacity for sustainable public procurement.

The Importance of Sustainable Public Procurement

Public procurement accounts for 13 to 20 percent of global GDP and approximately 15 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. Governments are the largest buyers of products like cement, steel, food, transport, and infrastructure. Their purchasing decisions heavily influence market trends and can either accelerate or hinder the adoption of sustainable technologies.

Unfortunately, many countries still rely on procurement rules that prioritize the lowest upfront cost, often overlooking long-term climate goals. This practice perpetuates entrenched industries and slows the uptake of low-carbon solutions.

Lessons from Corporate Procurement Leadership

Corporations have demonstrated that embedding sustainability into procurement:

• Future-proofs supply chains.
• Reduces risks.
• Spurs innovation.
• Aligns incentives with climate leadership.

Governments’ greater buying power positions them to replicate these benefits nationally, creating stable demand for green products without necessarily increasing spending.

Global Examples of Green Procurement in Action

• South Korea, Japan, EU, and India: Utilize national eco-labeling schemes to promote climate-friendly goods.
• Canada and the UK: Require suppliers to demonstrate strong corporate climate governance and transition plans to qualify for contracts.
• Australia: Incorporates environmental objectives directly into procurement law, linking payments to measurable sustainability outcomes.
• Brazil and Kenya: Use public food procurement to support indigenous and female farmers, integrating social inclusion with climate goals.
• Ireland, California, UAE: Transform construction markets by demanding green materials like cement, steel, and insulation.

Growing Momentum in Developing Nations

Despite media focus on climate policy setbacks in North America and Europe, COP30 revealed that leadership is emerging strongly in Latin America and Africa. Many developing countries are implementing robust disclosure requirements and engaging in sustainable procurement practices that align with corporate climate commitments.

Conclusion

The COP30 sustainable procurement declaration is a critical opportunity for governments and businesses to unify efforts toward a low-carbon future. By embedding sustainability into procurement, governments can drive the rise of clean industries, support innovative companies, and meet their climate commitments effectively.

For policymakers and sustainability leaders, this represents a strategic lever to influence markets at scale—transforming public purchasing power into a key driver of global emissions reduction.

Author: Kaya Axelsson, Research Fellow for Net Zero Policy and Partnerships, University of Oxford
Published: November 21, 2025
Source: Trellis Group, COP30 Coverage

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