Challenges and Opportunities in the Procurement of Sustainable Products and Services in Infrastructure
In the lead up to the Western Australia Connect conference that was hosted in March 2024 in Perth, Australia, the Infrastructure Sustainability Council (ISC) issued a survey to suppliers in the Western Australian market that aimed to identify the specific barriers and obstacles to sustainable procurement in the infrastructure sector, as perceived from the suppliers’ perspective.
This quantitative research was supplemented by qualitative input derived from a workshop facilitated by the ISC during the Western Australia Connect conference itself. Over 150 participants representing proponents, consultants, contractors and suppliers who are active in the region’s infrastructure value chain contributed to the session. Together, they identified the most material impediments and opportunities they faced with respect to sustainable procurement.
The key findings of these two activities are outlined in the report, followed by a summary of significant developments in government policy and the ISC’s own market insights.
Finally, this White Paper concludes with a set of recommendations to guide industry towards more impactful policy and practice in this important aspect of infrastructure sustainability.