Green Procurement and Sustainability in Infrastructure Projects: Employing the EcoVadis Model
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53819/81018102t2539Abstract
This study investigated the integration of green procurement (GP) and sustainability in infrastructure projects, with a focus on the application of the EcoVadis model as a transformative tool for procurement reform. Green procurement is increasingly recognized as a strategic mechanism for embedding environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles into project delivery, aligning infrastructural development with global climate and sustainability agendas. The paper sought to examine the interplay between green procurement and sustainability in infrastructure projects and how employing the EcoVadis Model contributes to sustainability within the projects. By examining the theoretical underpinnings of the Resource-Based Theory (RBT), Dynamic Capability Theory (DCT), and Institutional Theory, the paper situated GP as both a strategic resource and an adaptive capability, while also acknowledging the role of institutional pressures in shaping procurement practices. The research adopted a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) to synthesize empirical findings from global and regional contexts, highlighting enablers, barriers, and impacts of GP adoption. Case studies from Kenya and other regions underscore the potential of GP to reduce lifecycle costs, enhance environmental performance, and generate long-term socio-economic benefits when effectively embedded in governance structures. The EcoVadis model was presented as a standardized framework for evaluating supplier sustainability performance, fostering accountability, transparency, and competitive advantage in infrastructure projects. Findings revealed that while GP offers significant environmental and cost-efficiency advantages, challenges such as capacity gaps, upfront costs, fragmented policies, and resistance from stakeholders impede its mainstreaming. The study emphasized the critical role of capacity development, digital technologies, policy alignment, and collaborative governance in overcoming these barriers. The conclusion highlighted that GP must be viewed as both a strategic and moral imperative in addressing climate change and resource scarcity, while the recommendations underscore the importance of aligning policies with global standards, strengthening capacity building, adopting digital technologies, engaging suppliers, and fostering collaborative governance. Ultimately, the paper demonstrates that green procurement, when strategically institutionalized, not only mitigates ecological and financial risks but also catalyzes innovation, resilience, inclusivity, and sustainable transformation in infrastructure development across diverse economies.
Keywords: Green procurement, Sustainability, Infrastructure Projects, Capacity Development
References
Abdollahi, A., Saen, R. F., & Aryanezhad, M. B. (2021). A bibliometric analysis of green supply chain management using Scopus database. Benchmarking: An International Journal, 28(6), 1703–1728. https://doi.org/10.1108/BIJ-01-2020-0035
Adesina, T. (2020). Sustainable urban development and green procurement in Nigeria: A case of the Lagos Urban Renewal Project. Lagos Journal of Environmental Studies, 14(2), 101–115.
African Development Bank (AfDB). (2023). Annual Development Effectiveness Review 2023. Abidjan: AfDB.
African School of Project Management (ASPM). (2025). Sustainable Procurement Training Manual. Nairobi: ASPM Publications.
Agyepong, A. O., & Nhamo, G. (2017). Green procurement in South Africa: Perspectives on legislative provisions in metropolitan municipalities. Environmental Development, 24, 130–142. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envdev.2017.06.002
Ahmed, S., Khan, M., & Chaudhry, M. (2022). Cost implications of sustainable procurement in developing countries. Journal of Construction in Developing Economies, 12(1), 34-45.
Ahsan, K., & Rahman, S. (2023). Barriers to sustainable procurement in developing countries: Evidence from the construction sector. Journal of Cleaner Production, 405, 136902. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.136902
Ahsan, K., & Rahman, S. (2023). Green procurement in public infrastructure: Trends and challenges. Journal of Sustainable Procurement, 11(2), 55–72.
Al-Sabah, R., Al-Kandari, H., & Sillars, D. (2022). Barriers to Green Procurement in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Countries. Sustainable Cities and Society, 84, 103933.
Appolloni, A., Sun, H., Jia, F., & Li, X. (2014). Green procurement in the private sector: A state of the art review between 1996 and 2013. Journal of Cleaner Production, 85, 122–133. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2014.08.106
Arif, M., Zhang, Z., & Wu, D. (2023). Digital Procurement Systems and Green Compliance in Infrastructure Projects. Automation in Construction, 144, 104562.
Asante, K. (2020). Eco-friendly agricultural initiatives in Ghana: A policy analysis of the Green Agricultural Program. Ghana Agricultural Policy Review, 8(1), 45–59.
Basso, A., Ceron, A., & Ricci, L. (2022). Economic Evaluation of Nature-Based Solutions. Journal of Environmental Management, 309, 114682.
Beer, T., & Lemmer, B. (2011). Green procurement in food supply chains: A critical review. Sustainable Agriculture Reviews, 6, 45–60.
California High-Speed Rail Authority. (2021). Sustainability report 2021. https://hsr.ca.gov
Carter, C. R., et al. (2023). The integration of sustainability into procurement processes. Supply Chain Management Review, 29(1), 45–60.
Cheng, W., Appolloni, A., D’Amato, A., & Zhu, Q. (2018). Green public procurement, missing concepts and future trends – A critical review. Journal of Cleaner Production, 176, 770–784. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.12.027
Climate Bonds Initiative. (2023). Green bonds and sustainable infrastructure. Retrieved from [https://www.climatebonds.net](https://www.climatebonds.net)
DEFRA. (2021). Sustainable procurement practices in large-scale events: Lessons from the London 2012 Olympics. UK Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs.
Department of Mineral Resources and Energy. (2021). REIPPPP: Annual progress report. Government of South Africa. https://www.energy.gov.za
Ecovadis. (2024). Sustainability Ratings for Procurement. Retrieved from [https://ecovadis.com](https://ecovadis.com)
Eldoret Agricultural Board. (2021). Green Agriculture Initiative Annual Report. Eldoret County Government.
Environment and Climate Change Canada. (2022). Green infrastructure and sustainable procurement in urban Canada. https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change
European Commission. (2023). Green Public Procurement (GPP) Criteria and Good Practices. Brussels: Publications Office of the European Union.
Flyvbjerg, B. (2023). How Big Things Get Done. Currency.
Garissa Water Authority. (2020). Water conservation strategies and sustainable procurement: The Garissa Case. Garissa County Government.
Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC) & United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). (2024). Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction 2024. Nairobi: UNEP.
Government of Kenya. (2015). Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act. Nairobi: Government Printer.
Government of Kenya. (2023). Climate Change (Amendment) Act, 2023. Nairobi: Government Printer.
Green Building Council of Australia. (2023). Sustainable infrastructure: Insights from the Sydney Metro Project. https://new.gbca.org.au
Hoekstra, F., & Wilms, P. (2023). MEAT Strategy in the A16 Rotterdam Infrastructure Project. Infrastructure Sustainability Review, 11(2), 77–93.
Isiolo Energy Authority. (2021). Annual report on renewable energy procurement and implementation. Isiolo County Government.
ISO. (2023). ISO 20400: Sustainable Procurement – Guidance. Retrieved from [https://www.iso.org](https://www.iso.org)
Jia, M., & Lu, Y. (2023). Supply chain sustainability and procurement performance in infrastructure. International Journal of Operations Management, 19(4), 145–169.
Jok, P. (2019). Post-conflict reconstruction and green infrastructure in South Sudan. Journal of African Development, 11(3), 205–223.
Kariuki, M., & Kimani, J. (2022). Adoption of sustainable procurement practices in Kenyan state corporations. African Journal of Procurement and Supply Chain Management, 14(3), 45–61.
Kato, J. (2021). Renewable energy expansion and green procurement in Uganda. Kampala Energy Review, 9(2), 88–97.
Kemei, T., & Abiero, J. (2024). Public procurement reforms and sustainability in East Africa. African Journal of Public Sector Studies, 6(1), 66–84.
Kenya Energy Authority. (2022). Geothermal energy strategy and sustainable procurement practices. Nairobi: Government of Kenya.
Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC). (2022). Annual Sustainability Report 2022. Nairobi: KPLC.
Kenya Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA). (2024). Annual e-GP Adoption and Capacity Audit Report. Nairobi: PPRA.
Kericho County Health Department. (2021). Green Health Facility Improvement Report. Kericho County Government.
Khan, M. I., Rashid, A., & Shahbaz, M. (2023). Modeling Green Procurement Adoption Using PLS-SEM: Evidence from Pakistan. Journal of Cleaner Production, 412, 136721.
Kisumu City Council. (2020). Sustainable housing initiatives: The Green Housing Project. Kisumu County Government.
KPMG. (2023). Advancing Sustainable Infrastructure. Retrieved from https://kpmg.com
Li, X., & Zhou, Y. (2024). Strategic procurement for green infrastructure development in Asia. Sustainability Research, 18(3), 234–249.
Li, Y., & Zhou, L. (2024). Green procurement, ESG integration, and sustainable infrastructure development. Sustainability, 16(1), 412–429. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16010412
MacSkills Training Institute. (2025). Capacity Development for Sustainable Supply Chains. Nairobi: MacSkills.
Maiywa, L. (2024). Local government procurement and the role of training in green economy transition: Case of Laikipia and Uasin Gishu. Journal of Public Policy in Africa, 11(2), 88–103. https://doi.org/10.1177/2041905824123456
Marsabit County Government. (2021). Sanitation and environmental health report. Marsabit Environmental Authority.
Mombasa Port Authority. (2022). Sustainability in logistics: The Port Development Project. Mombasa County Publications.
Mugambi, J., et al. (2024). Digital procurement tools for green infrastructure in Africa. African Review of Technology Policy, 10(1), 88–102.
Mugisha, F. (2020). Sustainable health infrastructure in Uganda: Implementation and outcomes. Uganda Public Health Review, 15(1), 34–47.
Mwangi, S. (2023). Mainstreaming green procurement in Kenya’s county governments: A comparative analysis. Journal of African Public Policy, 11(2), 89–104.
Mziray, A. (2019). Green procurement in Tanzanian infrastructure: Case of Dar es Salaam. East African Infrastructure Journal, 7(1), 59–73.
Nairobi City Council. (2021). Integrated Waste Management Strategy: Annual Report. Nairobi County Government.
Nairobi Water Authority. (2021). Nairobi Water Supply Project: Enhancing sustainability through procurement. Nairobi: Ministry of Water.
Nakuru County Government. (2021). Public sector sustainability program. Nakuru County Policy Series.
Njoroge, A., Kiplagat, M., & Waweru, S. (2024). Enhancing compliance with sustainable procurement frameworks in devolved units in Kenya. African Journal of Procurement and Development, 9(1), 45–62. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajpd/kvq097
Nkurunziza, D. (2022). Green Housing in Rwanda: The role of sustainable procurement. Kigali Journal of Urban Development, 6(2), 44–58.
Noor, S., Azman, A., & Ibrahim, M. (2021). Stakeholder Engagement in Green Public Procurement: A Malaysian Case Study. IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 429, 012024.
Nshimiyimana, E. (2020). Sustainable water infrastructure development in Burundi: A review of Lake Tanganyika Project. Journal of African Water Studies, 12(3), 100–112.
Nyeri Education Department. (2021). Green Schools Program Implementation Report. Nyeri County Government.
Ochieng, B. O., et al. (2024). Building procurement capacity for sustainable development in Kenya. Nairobi: Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis.
OECD. (2023). Green Public Procurement: A Global Review. Paris: OECD Publishing.
OECD. (2023). Green Public Procurement: Best Practices from OECD Countries. Paris: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. https://doi.org/10.1787/9789264282629-en
Osei-Kyei, R., & Chan, A. P. C. (2021). Sustainability Integration in Public–Private Partnerships: A Review. Public Infrastructure and PPP Journal, 15(1), 21–39.
Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE). (2024). Mainstreaming Sustainability into Procurement Training Curricula. Geneva: UN PAGE Secretariat.
Patra, S. K., & Mishra, S. (2006). Bibliometric study of literature on bibliometrics. DESIDOC Bulletin of Information Technology, 26(1), 27–32. https://doi.org/10.14429/dbit.26.1.3692
Polonsky, M. J., Grau, S. L., & Garma, R. (2022). Public procurement of products with recycled content: Barriers and policy responses. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 179, 106125. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2021.106125
Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA). (2023). Strategic Plan 2023–2027. Nairobi: PPRA.
Qazi, A., & Appolloni, A. (2022). Enablers and barriers of sustainable procurement and circular economy: A systematic literature review. Journal of Cleaner Production, 336, 130345. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.130345
Rwanda Education Board. (2021). Green Schools Initiative: Sustainable education infrastructure. Kigali: Government of Rwanda.
Rwanda Housing Authority. (2022). Annual report on green housing strategies. Kigali: Ministry of Infrastructure.
Schaltegger, S., et al. (2023). Corporate sustainability performance assessment: Insights from Ecovadis. Journal of Cleaner Production, 407, 136843.
Scholz, M. (2020). Environmental innovation in airport development: The Berlin-Brandenburg case. Journal of Sustainable Infrastructure, 5(2), 133–147.
Sharma, R., & Ali, N. (2024). Governance models for green procurement in infrastructure. Policy and Society, 43(2), 210–228.
Skills for Africa. (2025). Green Procurement and ESG Training Handbook for Sub-Saharan Africa. Nairobi: SFA Publishers.
Small, H. (1973). Co‐citation in the scientific literature: A new measure of the relationship between two documents. Journal of the American Society for Information Science, 24(4), 265–269. https://doi.org/10.1002/asi.4630240406
Smith, A., & Jones, L. (2019). Eco-efficiency in transport infrastructure: Evidence from Sydney Metro. Australasian Journal of Urban Planning, 11(3), 76–92.
Sönnichsen, S. D., & Clement, J. (2020). Review of green and sustainable public procurement: Towards circular public procurement. Journal of Cleaner Production, 245, 118901. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.118901
Stütz, A., Muriuki, J., & Baidoo, A. (2024). Capacity, procurement, and performance: A multi-country analysis of sustainable procurement in Africa. Global Environmental Governance Review, 6(1), 23–41. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gegr.2024.03.005
Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA). (2020). Eco-tourism development strategy: Serengeti National Park. Arusha: Government of Tanzania.
Testa, F., et al. (2023). Public sustainable procurement at the crossroads: Lessons and future directions. Journal of Environmental Policy & Planning, 25(1), 19–35.
Testa, F., Iraldo, F., & Frey, M. (2023). Empirical analysis of sustainable public procurement practices: Drivers, barriers, and impacts. Journal of Environmental Management, 326, 116692. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.116692
Toyota Motor Corporation. (2022). Sustainability Data Book 2022. https://global.toyota/en/sustainability/report
Treasury Kenya. (2023). AGPO Program Annual Review Report. Nairobi: National Treasury and Planning.
UK Government. (2012). Sustainable procurement for the London 2012 Olympic Games. https://www.gov.uk
UNEP. (2022). Global Environmental Outlook for Sustainable Infrastructure. Nairobi: United Nations Environment Programme.
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). (2023). Life-Cycle Thinking in Procurement: Tools and Guidelines. Nairobi: UNEP.
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). (2024). Building Procurement Capacity for a Sustainable Future. Nairobi: UNEP.
Vejaratnam, N., Gengatharen, D., & Standing, C. (2020). Barriers to green procurement in the public sector: A systematic literature review. Sustainability, 12(15), 5930. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12155930
Vijayakumar, B., Kumar, S. S., & Soni, G. (2018). A critical review of green supply chain management: Bibliometric analysis and research agenda. Benchmarking: An International Journal, 25(5), 1447–1470. https://doi.org/10.1108/BIJ-01-2017-0006
World Bank. (2023). Green Procurement and Climate Resilient Infrastructure Toolkit. Washington DC: World Bank.
World Bank. (2023). Green Public Procurement in Developing Countries: Capacity and Reform Roadmaps. Washington, DC: World Bank Group.
World Bank. (2023). Sustainable Procurement Guidance and Case Studies. Washington, DC: World Bank.
Xu, X., Zhang, M., & Zhu, Q. (2022). Circular procurement in public and private sectors: A systematic literature review. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 180, 106208. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2022.106208
Zhang, H., et al. (2023). Technological innovation in sustainable infrastructure supply chains. Engineering Sustainability, 176(4), 204–221.
