CONFERENCEWhat is sustainable development?
Sustainable development is understood by the University of Latvia as responsibility for the environment and people, voluntary inclusion of social, economic, environmental and human rights values in its daily activities and relations with stakeholders – employees, students, partners, decision makers and society.
What is the aim of the UL Sustainable Development Policy?
The aim of the Sustainable Development Policy of the University of Latvia is to define the principles, directions and main instruments of sustainable development of the University of Latvia in order to make the University of Latvia a model of responsible behaviour and a leader in changing attitudes and behaviours that contribute to sustainable development both at the University and in Latvia as a whole. Sustainable development is one of the fundamental conditions that guide the University of Latvia's activities – studies, research, organisational development, governance and cooperation with partners.
What are the directions of sustainable development at the University of Latvia?
The policy defines the development of sustainability in the following directions: research, innovation and knowledge transfer; education and studies for sustainable development; communication and engagement; socially responsible investment; resource management; an environment conducive to the well-being of society; and cooperation to achieve regional and global sustainability goals.
Where is the UL Sustainable Development Policy based?
The policy is developed in accordance with the mission, vision and values of the University of Latvia, the goals defined in the United Nations Resolution, the European Green Deal, as well as other relevant policy planning documents, recognising the important role of the University of Latvia in educating the public and demonstrating opinion leadership.
Who and when developed the Sustainable Development Policy of the University of Latvia?
The Sustainable Development Policy of the University of Latvia was drafted on the initiative of the University of Latvia Eco-Council and approved by the University Council on 31 January 2023.
Where can I find the UL Sustainable Development Policy?
Here: The Sustainable Development Policy of the University of Latvia
What is sustainable procurement?
As a public higher education and research institution, the University of Latvia applies the principles of sustainable development in its operations, promotes the responsible use of resources, and, when organising procurement, seeks to reduce the environmental impact of purchased goods and services across their full life cycle. This approach is also applied in the organisation of public procurement, integrating environmental and sustainability aspects into procurement requirements and the evaluation of tenders.
Regulatory context
Following amendments to the Public Procurement Law, the regulation of green public procurement in Latvia has changed. As of 9 June 2026, Cabinet of Ministers Regulation No. 353, "Requirements for Green Public Procurement and the Procedure for Their Application," is no longer in force, meaning the requirements it previously set out are no longer mandatory external regulation. Nevertheless, wherever possible, the University of Latvia continues to use the criteria set out in that regulation and its annexes as a methodological basis and example of good practice when organising procurement. This approach is consistent with the guidance published by the Procurement Monitoring Bureau on strategic and sustainable procurement, which encourages contracting authorities to continue applying environmental requirements and a life-cycle approach even after changes to the regulatory framework.
At the same time, the currently applicable Public Procurement Law requires contracting authorities to observe the principle of sustainability in procurement - meaning that decisions must take into account not only the lowest price, but also the long-term environmental impact, resource-use efficiency, and life-cycle costs of the goods or services being procured.
How this is applied in practice
In line with these principles, for procurements involving energy-consuming products, the evaluation of tenders takes into account electricity consumption as one of the key sustainability indicators. Electricity consumption directly affects both operating costs and carbon emissions, as well as the overall environmental impact of a product throughout its period of use. For this reason, more energy-efficient solutions are given preference, as they ensure lower life-cycle costs and align with the goals of sustainable public procurement.
Although the earlier green public procurement regulation is no longer mandatory, the University of Latvia can affirm that, in preparing procurements and evaluating tenders, it continues to observe the principles of sustainable procurement. This includes applying guidance developed by the Procurement Monitoring Bureau and the Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development, assessing electricity consumption, and, where relevant, other life-cycle-related costs - ensuring an environmentally and socially responsible use of public funds.
