SDG - 12.7 target and indicator on Sustainable Public Procurement implementation

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,  adopted by all the United Nations Member States in 2015, seeks to build on the Millennium Development Goals, recognizing the determination of Member states to “take the bold and transformative steps which are urgently needed to shift the world onto a sustainable and resilient path”.

It includes 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 targets, among which Goal 12 specifically addresses the need to “Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns” through eleven different targets, one of which – target 12.7 – aims to “Promote public procurement practices that are sustainable, in accordance with national policies and priorities.”

Indicator 12.7.1 – officially designated as the “Number of countries implementing Sustainable Public Procurement policies and action plans” – has been specifically set to measure the achievement towards this target.

As custodian to SDG 12.7.1 indicator, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) collects data from national governments on the status of their SPP implementation efforts on a biennial basis.

The data collection process for SDG indicator 12.7.1 entails:

       1. Official designation of focal points and alternates

• These are public officials who are responsible for the coordination of data collection efforts at the national level. The focal point is also the main contact point, who will liaise with UNEP during the data collection period. 
• For a country-by-country list of focal points and alternates please click here. If you represent a national government and would like to report on your SPP activities, but are not on this list, or would like to update your contact information, please reach-out to us at unep-spp@un.org.

       2. Completion of the excel questionnaire

• The excel-based questionnaire is the reporting tool that has been developed to collect information from countries on their SPP policies and action plans, implementation measures, and monitoring efforts. The excel questionnaire is based on the SPP Index Calculation Methodology and consists of 24 questions. It is available in three languages (English, French and Spanish) and can be used for official data reporting on SDG indicator 12.7.1 or as a self-assessment tool. 
• For step-by-step instructions on the data collection process for SDG indicator 12.7.1 and completion of the excel questionnaire, please see the SPP Index Excel Questionnaire Guidelines. as well as the Frequent Asked Questions (English, French, Spanish). Recordings of virtual training sessions on data reporting can also be viewed in English, French and Spanish.

The first data collection exercise was launched in October 2020. Forty national governments submitted reports on their SPP implementation efforts. A report in English has been produced on the outcome of this data collection (translation available in Chinese) and webinars in English, French and Spanish have been hosted to present those results.

Currently, the second data collection exercise is underway. The deadline to submit completed excel questionnaires is October 17, 2022.

Quick links:

• Country-by-country focal point list
• SDG indicator 12.7.1 calculation methodology
• SDG indicator 12.7.1 excel questionnaire
• Guidelines on data reporting and completion of the excel questionnaire
• Frequently asked questions (English, French, Spanish)
• Virtual trainings in English, French and Spanish on data reporting and completion of the excel questionnaire
• Report on the results of the 2020 SDG indicator 12.7.1 data collection exercise
• Webinars in English, French and Spanish on the results of the 2020 SDG indicator 12.7.1 data collection exercise

More information on SDG Indicator 12.7.1 and other SDG 12 indicators can also be found on the SDG 12 hub.

Please direct inquiries on SDG indicator 12.7.1 reporting to the following address: unep-spp@un.org