Biodiversity footprint of public procurement in Finland

Halting biodiversity loss requires systematic action from all sectors of society. The public sector is a significant actor globally in creating markets for goods and services, public procurement representing on average 13–20% of national gross domestic product. In this study, we assessed the biodiversity footprint of public procurement in Finland in 2022. We applied the consumption-based biodiversity footprint model BIOVALENT, where data from EXIOBASE and LC-IMPACT databases are combined to connect economic activities in the value chains of procured goods and services with the resulting biodiversity impact. Our results indicate that (i) largest contributors to the biodiversity footprint of public procurement in Finland in 2022 were construction and maintenance services (19%), utilities consisting of water and energy consumption and rentals of real estate (15%), health and social services (11%), and medical and care supplies (10%); (ii) the greatest potential in mitigating the biodiversity footprint lies in construction and maintenance, utilities, medical and care supplies, machines and appliances, and accommodation and catering services; and (iii) according to the model on average over 90% of the biodiversity footprint was located overseas. These insights from our analysis can be used for guiding strategic prioritization, more detailed assessments, and mitigation actions towards most impactful procurement categories. The considerable role of the value chain in the harmful biodiversity impacts calls for significant changes in the public procurement practices, given their influence throughout production systems and consumption patterns.