Sustainability Certification and Green Public Procurement: Ideals and Outcomes in a New Jersey School District

Cluny Mendez and Christopher L. Atkinson
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Cluny Mendez: Cluny Mendez is Whitman Student Fellow, Public Administration and Law, College of Education and Professional Studies, University of West Florida, Pensacola, Florida, USA.
Christopher L. Atkinson: Christopher L. Atkinson is Assistant Professor, Administration and Law, University of West Florida, Pensacola, Florida, USA. E-mail: catkinson1@uwf.edu

Journal of Education for Sustainable Development, 2021, vol. 15, issue 1, 122-145

Abstract: The implementation of sustainability and green public procurement (GPP) initiatives in school districts has been the subject of some debate; questions over definitions and programme goals have led to inconsistency and concerns about programme achievements. The legitimacy of programmes rests not only with the announcement of policy by officials, but with adherence to policy and staff buy-in. This study examines barriers districts face, and makes recommendations based upon district experience on ways to successfully implement sustainability and GPP initiatives. A review of the literature on GPP and legitimacy in the execution of public functions within the education domain begins the study. Major components relative to best practices for GPP programmes are studied through the review of GPP-related documents from a school district in New Jersey considered as an exemplar of such programmes. Analysis of an interview with the district’s representatives suggests that, despite the normative approval such programmes receive, and widespread understanding of the rationale for pursuing such initiatives, there remain critical failings in implementation of these programmes, stemming from education, resourcing of initiatives and prioritization of green procurement in relation to other district priorities. The study concludes with lessons learned from this case, which is important given its positioning within New Jersey as an exemplar and recommendations for future research where work in this area is needed.

Keywords: Green public procurement; sustainability; greenwashing; sense-making; school districts (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:jousus:v:15:y:2021:i:1:p:122-145

DOI: 10.1177/09734082211012555

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