A unique opportunity to lead by example, and influence the market. This is how Ossian Smyth, the minister of state responsible for public procurement, heralded the release of new advice to guide public bodies on green public procurement (GPP) in January this year. While the launch went largely under the radar, GPP has an important role to play in ensuring that public authorities source goods, services or works with a reduced environmental impact throughout their life cycle. The use of green criteria is recognised internationally as an effective means to deliver carbon reductions, conserve water, improve air and water quality,…