Green purchasing in practice: experiences and new approaches from the pioneer countries . . . . . . . . ICLEI Eco-Procurement Programme and Eco-efficient Economy

The chapter describes the experiences and approaches taking place in the European front-runner countries: Austria, Denmark, the Netherlands and Sweden. The purchasing practices of Hungary also form part of the analysis because of the importance of the European enlargement process. This is complemented by a description of the activities occurring in Japan and North America. An insight into the preconditions for green purchasing in developing countries and the international framework conditions is also presented.