Railsponsible signs a partnership agreement with the UN Environment Sustainable Public Procurement Programme

Railsponsible brings together a network of seven companies including both the railway supply industry and operators: Alstom, Bombardier Transportation, SNCF, Deutsche Bahn, Knorr Bremse, Nederlandse Spoorwgen (NS), and SKF. On 25 January 2017 the non-profit organisation was welcomed, in Paris, as partner of the 10 Year Framework Programme on Sustainable Public Procurement (SPP) of UN Environment.

This UN programme is “a global multi-stakeholder platform that supports the implementation of SPP around the world. The Programme builds synergies between diverse partners to achieve the Sustainable development goals target on SPP.” (Source: UN Environment Secretariat)

Railsponsible perfectly echoes this programme as its members have newly approved a multi-year 2020 strategy focusing on raising awareness among internal entities about the crucial role of sustainable procurement, developing programmes in collaboration with suppliers from the rail supply chain and expanding the network to new significant stakeholders. The partnership agreement will give the Railsponsible initiative greater visibility on the global stage.

The Membership Certificate was granted by Farid Yaker, Sustainable Public Procurement Programme Officer at UN Environment, to Olivier Baril, Chairman of Railsponsible and Chief Procurement Officer at Alstom. Olivier Baril said: “Today, we are very pleased to join the 10YFP Sustainable Public Procurement Programme which will allow us to share best practices with other industries, public organisations and academic institutes.”

Jean-Pierre Loubinoux, Director General of UIC, was invited to represent UIC as a key stakeholder and facilitator in the process as this ceremony was a direct output of the 13th UIC Sustainability Conference held in Vienna in October 2016. He said: “The broad experience of the 10YFP SPP programme partners and sector specific knowledge of the Railsponsible initiative represents a perfect marriage.”

Mr Sanjay Kummar of Indian Railways played a significant part in presenting and bringing together the sustainable procurement network and the 10YFP Sustainable Public Procurement Programme. His role was warmly acknowledged by speakers.

About The International Union of Railways (UIC)

UIC mission:

• to promote rail transport at world level and meet the challenges of mobility and sustainable development.

Main UIC objectives:

• facilitate the sharing of best practices among members (benchmarking)
• support members in their efforts to develop new business and new areas of activities
• propose new ways to improve technical and environmental performance
• promote interoperability, create new world standards for railways (including common standards with other transport modes)
• develop centres of competence (High Speed, Safety, Security, e-Business, …)