Govt launches green room air conditioners on World Environment Day

On the occasion of World Environment Day, the Government e-Marketplace(GeM) has added a new product category called Green Room Air Conditioners. It was inaugurated by Anup Wadhavan, Secretary of Commerce. The event was co-hosted by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Wadhavan stated at the time that India's public procurement expenditures account for nearly 15-20% of the country's gross domestic product (GDP). The addition of a Sustainable Public Procurement (SPP) to this massive amount of government procurement will help the country meet its climate policy goals. CEO of GeM, PK Singh, stated that the company has a gross merchandise value (GMV) of about $15 billion, with just under 2 million sellers and 52,000 government agencies as buyers, which is why it is not only critical but also urgent for GeM to facilitate the use of sustainable and environmentally friendly procurement practices. He asserted that they acknowledge GeM's potential in persuading our government buyers to choose green and sustainable products and services, as well as the numerous positive externalities that can result from driving innovation and supply chain reform. The GeM portal will make it possible for all central and state government agencies to purchase energy-efficient and environmentally friendly green air conditioners, paving the way for India's SPP. Green RACs will be purchased voluntarily. By moving to a circular economy, this innovation can save money for government buyers while also meeting evolving environmental challenges. They have also asked the UNEP to look into the top three services that government agencies have purchased and see how they can be made more sustainable. The GeM portal saw over 44,000 air conditioners worth Rs 1.7 billion sold last year, and it continues to grow. India's public procurement expenditures are estimated to account for 15-20% of the GDP of the country. Using procurement authority and encouraging sustainable public procurement that is aligned with India's climate policies and goals will help India meet its National Development Councils (NDCs) and commitments to relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 12.7. The incorporation of Green Room Air Conditioners into the public procurement system is a catalyst for market change toward sustainable cooling. The Indian government is actively working toward a circular and green economy. Image Source Also read: Sustainable redevelopment for better communities and urban renovation