Development of a Green Procurement Method for Eutrophic and Anoxic Coastal Areas

Abstract

Understanding the intertwined common challenges of the sea-land chain by treating the pollution problems of eutrophic and anoxic coastal ecosystems resulting from land-based and other pollution sources, is essential for the green procurement of products and services in wastewater management. The research activities took place under the aegis of project, “Blue-Greenway,” and field results were obtained in Greece, Romania and Cyprus. The most efficient method to address these challenges is via a dual approach, (a) short-term restoration measures in the sea part of the chain, and (b) land measures for identifying green products & services in wastewater management. According to the baseline best practices in the field describing the linked agriculture-eutrophication issue, everyday farming activities such as tilling, use of pesticides and fertilizers can give rise to contamination of soil and water supplies. Toxic pollutants from land-based sources are found in fresh and marine waters, ranging from agricultural nutrients, such as organic compounds, to pharmaceuticals. The main output of the present research was to design, build and operate a unified platform, hosting all the necessary tools for an efficient, sustainable electronic procurement method, aiming to bring together public-private operators who are active in the field of green public procurement. The unified platform has been used by relevant target groups to provide innovative solutions for improving the environmental status of eutrophic and anoxic coastal ecosystems based on the identification of general specifications & standards to govern green eProcurement models and green criteria, leading to the development of an integrated procurement model.