Joint effort by the Public and Private Sectors: How Circular Green Public Procurement Establishes Sustainability

Abstract

The global economic landscape is undergoing a fundamental shift as traditional metrics of value and growth are recalibrated in relation to ecological limits and socio-economic instability. The change requires moving away from a linear-extractive model, dominated by anthropocentric individualism and short-term thinking, known as a “Me-We” approach, towards a regenerative paradigm. Key to this transition is the “We-All” governance framework, which emphasises the collective common good and systemic resilience without neglecting individual well-being. A crucial lever in this transition is the transformation of governmental intervention strategies. While traditional public procurement follows the least-cost principle, Circular Green Public Procurement (CGPP) incorporates environmental externalities and material lifecycles into decision-making. This paper illustrates this development by describing the Central Europe Green Procurement and Innovation Network for Circular Economy, outlining the necessary shifts in institutional and corporate logic. By prioritising durability, repairability, and waste reduction, CGPP promotes the development of closed-loop supply chains. Ultimately, integrating regenerative principles into public administration serves as a catalyst for a circular economy, moving beyond destructive doctrines to foster long-term systemic stability.   Keywords: Circular Green Public Procurement, Circular Economy, Sustainable Innovation