Public Procurement That Counts: Italy Leads with BESA in Rome

Europe cannot afford to step back on the green transition. At the Europa Experience – David Sassoli in Rome, policymakers, institutions, businesses and civil society called for urgent action to strengthen the Green Deal and to integrate the revision of the EU Procurement Directive with binding criteria, as proposed by BESA – Buy European and Sustainable Act. It was a strong appeal for European unity at a time of geopolitical tensions and crucial industrial choices – with one clear message: public spending must become a driver for climate action, jobs, and European competitiveness.

Human health and the environment are inseparable. The air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat, and the climate we live in all directly affect our well-being, as highlighted by the One Health and Planetary Health approaches. Millions of premature deaths each year are linked to environmental factors, making both prevention and climate adaptation urgent priorities. Fondazione Ecosistemi works to protect public health and strengthen community resilience by integrating sustainability into health policies and health into environmental policies. The connection is undeniable: the health of people and the planet must go hand in hand.

In 2024, Italian municipalities spent billions on public procurement, a key lever for the country’s ecological transition. Yet, the use of Green Public Procurement (GPP) remains uneven, with excellence in some cities and delays in many smaller towns. The latest VIII Green Public Procurement Observatory Report, presented by Legambiente and Fondazione Ecosistemi, reveals both best practices and systemic gaps in training, monitoring, and governance, showing that GPP remains an underutilized strategic tool.