ENHANCING GREEN PRACTICE IN PUBLIC ROAD CONSTRUCTION PROCUREMENT

Green practices and life cycle approach are increasingly adopted in the public construction of roads. One example is the Finnish pilot project 'Improvement of the Highway 9' carried out in 2005 by the Finnish Road Administration. In the 'Highway9' -project, the aim was to include life cycle aspects in the tender competition. This paper discusses these environmental aspects from the viewpoint of the basic principles and subsequent legislation of public procurement in the EU. Transport distance of materials is at the centre of the debate because it is an inherent part of the scientific method 'life cycle assessment' but due to the legal framework, it is not obvious that the offers can be valued in relation to the environmental burdens of transport without potentially causing a discrimination of some bidders. The 'Highway9' proposes, however, that environmental impacts of transport can be acceptable among the award criteria in road construction contracts.