The adoption of a green government procurement rule is significant for environmental protection and energy savings, says a commentary in Beijing Youth Daily. The following is an excerpt:

The State Council recently issued a circular requesting all levels of government set up a rule on compulsory energy-saving product procurement. It aims to promote the use of energy-saving and resource-saving products by government departments.

The scale of government procurement is huge and there has often been wasted energy by some government departments. It is necessary to set up a compulsory procurement rule to reduce over-consumption of energy and resources by government departments.

To implement such a green procurement rule in the government can provide a good example to the society. Joint efforts by the whole society are needed to reduce energy consumption and protect the environment. If government departments can take the lead, it will help promote the concept of energy savings among the public.

Such a compulsory procurement rule can also guide enterprises' development as well as the development mode of the national economy. In 2006, total government procurement was 350 billion yuan ($42.30 billion) and the number is expected to reach 500 billion yuan ($66.14 billion) this year.

After the green procurement rule is adopted, enterprises will have to increase their input in energy-saving technologies and eliminate outdated ones if they want to gain a share of the big government procurement cake. This will guide the national economy from an extensive development mode to an intensive one.

The compulsory green procurement rule also shows the government's shouldering social responsibilities. It is the public's expectation and requirement on the government. There should be more similar measures promoting environmental protection and energy saving.

(China Daily 08/09/2007 page8)