Dębno Municipality: Strengthening Sustainability in Infrastructure Procurement

Dębno municipality in Poland is taking important steps to integrate climate, circular economy, and chemical considerations into its public procurement practices. Through several upcoming infrastructure projects, the municipality is exploring how environmental objectives can be more systematically embedded into planning, design, and tendering processes.

While Dębno’s strategic framework already addresses environmental protection, climate adaptation, and circular economy principles, these priorities have traditionally been implemented through sectoral policies rather than procurement. The cases presented here therefore represent a shift toward using public procurement as a practical tool to achieve broader sustainability goals.

Case 1: A Health-Oriented Public Space – Sonic Brine Graduation Tower

One of the planned procurements focuses on the construction of a sonic brine graduation tower in the municipal park. This project combines recreational, health-promoting, and social functions, targeting a wide range of users – from local residents and families to elderly people and visitors seeking respiratory health benefits.

As a technically complex project, it requires expertise across multiple domains, including structural engineering, water systems, material durability, and health and safety considerations. The procurement is expected to follow a design-and-build approach under an open procedure.

From a CCC perspective, this project highlights the need to move beyond compliance-based criteria. Previous procurements relied mainly on standard certifications and technical requirements, with limited attention to lifecycle impacts. Going forward, the municipality aims to strengthen environmental ambition by introducing elements such as carbon footprint assessment, safer material selection, and greater consideration of reuse and recycling.

Case 2: Promoting Sustainable Mobility – Bicycle Path to Smolnica

Another key investment is the construction of a shared pedestrian and bicycle path connecting Dębno with Smolnica. The project aims to improve local mobility, enhance safety, and encourage low-emission transport options, while also supporting recreation and tourism.

This case is closely aligned with the municipality’s climate objectives, particularly the reduction of transport-related emissions and the promotion of sustainable infrastructure. However, past procurements in this area have primarily focused on cost, timeline, and technical parameters, with environmental aspects included only to a limited extent.

To address this, Dębno is considering how to better integrate CCC criteria into future tenders. This includes introducing measurable indicators such as CO₂ emissions, increasing the use of recycled materials, and ensuring that hazardous substances are limited at the specification stage. Existing frameworks such as EU Green Public Procurement criteria and lifecycle assessment methods are seen as valuable reference points.

Case 3: Supporting Active Lifestyles – Sports Infrastructure Development

A third planned procurement involves the construction of two padel courts and the renovation of an existing basketball court. The project is designed to expand access to sports facilities and promote healthy lifestyles among residents.

Here too, the municipality recognises the opportunity to strengthen environmental considerations. While current practices ensure compliance with safety and quality standards, they do not yet fully address lifecycle impacts. Future improvements may include requirements for low-emission materials, recycled content, and design solutions that enable easier maintenance, repair, or eventual disassembly.

From Compliance to Strategic Impact

Across all three cases, a common theme emerges: the transition from formally compliant procurement toward a more strategic and impact-oriented approach. Historically, environmental aspects have been addressed through basic requirements and certifications. While these remain important, they are not sufficient to drive meaningful change.

Through these pilot cases, Dębno is laying the groundwork for a more systematic integration of sustainability into public procurement. While still at an early stage, these efforts demonstrate how even relatively standard infrastructure projects can become opportunities to advance climate goals, support circular economy principles, and improve environmental safety.

Contact details:

Małgorzata Wawrzycka-Dawidowicz,

Project manager, Municipal Office in Dębno

cwb@debno.pl

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