Net Zero Industry Act: A chance for more social public procurement in Europe

According to CESI, the approval of the European Parliament’s plenary this week in Strasbourg of a new EU Net Zero Industry Act can be a step to secure more socially responsible public procurement in the EU.

Following the approval of the new Act, which still needs to be formally endorsed by the Council, the EU and its Member States would be obliged to “produce 40% of the annual deployment needs in net zero technologies by 2030” and “to capture 15% of the global market value for these technologies.” These technologies include renewable technologies, nuclear, industrial decarbonisation, grid, energy storage technologies, and biotech.

CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger said: “Public procurement to accelerate industries from renewable energy sources will be signifcant. The envisaged Act foresees special social and employment-related considerations that Member States may need to apply in public procurement procedures. We hope that these considerations will be used extensively by contracting authorities to tie the award of public money to decent work standards, including the application of collective agreements. “