Green public procurement in public administration : perceptions and challenges in practice

Abstract

The implementation of green public procurement (GPP) in the Maltese public administration wasperceived as an important step that supports the achievement of environmental policies. Institutionsare in place for the application of GPP. However, there are difficulties in practice, and more needs tobe done in terms of training and capacity development. This study concludes that managerialdecisions are taken to legitimize actions, so that the administrator appears to be doing the rightthing in the eyes of the stakeholders. Institutions intentionally adopt GPP to adhere to the norms andvalues of society. Whether GPP has a positive effect on the environment is a secondary objective.