SDG Indicator 12.7.1 | Sustainable developments Goals

SDG Indicator 12.7.1: Number of countries implementing sustainable public procurement policies and action plans

1. Key features and metadata

Definition: This indicator measures the number of countries implementing Sustainable Public Procurement (SPP) policies and action plans. It assesses a country’s degree of SPP implementation according to the SPP Index Calculation Methodology. Only countries meeting the methodological requirements are counted towards the measurement of the indicator.

Sub-indicator	Disaggregated by
SG_SCP_PROCN Number of countries implementing sustainable public procurement policies and action plans (Number)	Level of implementation
SG_SCP_PROCN_HS Number of countries implementing sustainable public procurement policies and action plans at higher sub-national level by level of implementation (1 = YES; 0 = NO)	- Subnational government -Level of implementation
SG_SCP_PROCN_LS Number of countries implementing sustainable public procurement policies and action plans at lower sub-national level by level of implementation (1 = YES; 0 = NO)	- Subnational government -Level of implementation

Sources of information: Data is provided by SDG 12.7 Focal Points nominated by governments (mostly National Procurement Agencies, Ministries of Finance, Ministries of the Environment or Statistical Departments) by way of a survey.

Related SDG Indicator: 12.1.1 (Number of countries developing, adopting or implementing policy instruments aimed at supporting the shift to sustainable consumption and production).

2. Data availability by region, SDG Global Database, as of 02 July 2025

Figure 4.34 Number of countries implementing sustainable public procurement policies and action plans

3. Proposed disaggregation, links to policymaking and its impact

Proposed disaggregation	Link to policymaking	Impact
Number of countries implementing sustainable public procurement policies and action plans, by type of measures(UNEP 2022c): Existence of SPP policy, action plan and/or SPP regulatory requirements Public procurement regulatory framework conducive to SPP Practical support delivered to public procurement practitioners in the implementation of SPP SPP purchasing criteria/buying standards/requirements Existence of an SPP monitoring system Percentage of sustainable purchases of priority products/services Applies to: SG_SCP_PROCN	This disaggregation aims to monitor more specifically whether public procurement laws allow for the inclusion of sustainability considerations across various stages of the procurement cycle and what supportive measures have been developed to implement and monitor SPP progress. It allows for an assessment of the scope, level and comprehensiveness; SPP instruments and actions put in place for the implementation; and final outputs and outcomes of these actions (UNEP 2022c). This disaggregation is consistent with the 10YFP (UN 2012).	SPP can address various environmental issues (e.g. climate change, pollution or waste generation), create decent jobs or encourage corporate social responsibility. By promoting sustainable public purchasing and choosing goods, services and public works conforming to SCP principles, public authorities – whether at national or sub-national levels – can lead by example and influence the market or other groups of stakeholders like the non-profit sector. Thereby making a substantial contribution towards sustainability(OPN 2014).

Proposed disaggregation

Link to policymaking

Impact

Number of countries implementing sustainable public procurement policies and action plans, by type of measures(UNEP 2022c):

Existence of SPP policy, action plan and/or SPP regulatory requirements
Public procurement regulatory framework conducive to SPP
Practical support delivered to public procurement practitioners in the implementation of SPP
SPP purchasing criteria/buying standards/requirements
Existence of an SPP monitoring system
Percentage of sustainable purchases of priority products/services

Applies to:

SG_SCP_PROCN

This disaggregation aims to monitor more specifically whether public procurement laws allow for the inclusion of sustainability considerations across various stages of the procurement cycle and what supportive measures have been developed to implement and monitor SPP progress. It allows for an assessment of the scope, level and comprehensiveness; SPP instruments and actions put in place for the implementation; and final outputs and outcomes of these actions (UNEP 2022c). This disaggregation is consistent with the 10YFP (UN 2012).

SPP can address various environmental issues (e.g. climate change, pollution or waste generation), create decent jobs or encourage corporate social responsibility.

By promoting sustainable public purchasing and choosing goods, services and public works conforming to SCP principles, public authorities – whether at national or sub-national levels – can lead by example and influence the market or other groups of stakeholders like the non-profit sector. Thereby making a substantial contribution towards sustainability(OPN 2014).