Advancing Sustainable Procurement: Drivers, Barriers, and Strategic Framework from Nepal as a Developing Country Case.

While Green Public Procurement (GPP) is an important tool for support Sustainable Development Goal 12 on responsible consumption and production, the practice remains low in the developing world. The paper examines the drivers for and barriers to GPP adoption in the developing world through the case of Nepal, and provides the basis for more widespread GPP use in similar locations. Using a mixed-methods approach, we analyzed a survey with 74 respondents, including government representatives, procurement officers, and environmental experts, through a Relative Importance Index (RII). Examination of the data indicated that GPP had a large support from respondents who perceived the strongest drivers are still advancing renewable energy, committing to sustainability, and protecting biodiversity. However, respondents identified significant barriers to GPP in the developing world, including a lack of training, a non-existent internal GPP policy, and limited and weak legal compliance frameworks. Analysis of emerging global best practices and consultation with identified barriers led to a plan of action which recommended attention to policy integration, stakeholder consultation, market development, and monitoring. While the suggested action plan is most relevant to Nepal, the underlying implications provide useful lessons for emerging economies similar to Nepal who confront institutional, market and regulatory impediments, which constrain GPP adoption. The empirical and practical contributions of this study derive from its clear articulation of policy recommendations for policymakers, procurement practitioners, and sustainability champions seeking to link policy objectives with lived experience.