FROM EU POLICY TO LOCAL PRACTICE

IMPLEMENTING GREEN PUBLIC PROCUREMENT IN CROATIA

Abstract

Green public procurement (GPP) has emerged as one of the key instruments through which the European Union seeks to achieve its environmental, climate, and sustainability objectives. By leveraging the purchasing power of the public sector, EU policy aims to stimulate markets for environmentally preferable goods, services, and works, while simultaneously contributing to broader strategic goals such as climate neutrality, circular economy, and resource efficiency. The paper therefore explores the extent to which European framework and policy objectives on green public procurement are reflected in the Croatian legal framework and implemented in procurement practice. The analysis is conducted using a combination of doctrinal legal research, qualitative examination of strategic and policy documents, and empirical data gathered through structured interview with local public authority. The first part of the paper examines the European legal framework governing green public procurement, in which Directive 2014/24/EU operates as the overarching legal instrument establishing the horizontal legal basis for integration of environmental considerations into public procurement procedures, complemented by sector – specific legislation. The second part of the paper analyses the Croatian legal framework and the extent to which European standards on green procurement have been transposed into national law and supported by strategic policy documents. Although the application of green procurement criteria is not mandatory for local government units, the authors sought to examine the underlying reasons for their limited implementation. Consequently, the final part of the paper presents findings on implementation at the local level, highlighting key challenges such as limited administrative and financial capacity, insufficient constraints, and legal uncertainty. The paper concludes with recommendations for strengthening the effectiveness of GPP in Croatia.