On 16 June, participants took part in a dedicated training session on sustainable IT procurement, hosted by Paradigm Brussels. Thierry Chappe and Costance Mathieu led a thought-provoking session that explored the strategic, technical, and policy aspects of reducing the environmental and social footprint of digital infrastructure through procurement.

The training began with a clear message: sustainability in IT is not only about emissions—it's about resilience, resource use, and the long-term viability of digital services. With the digital sector already surpassing aviation in terms of global greenhouse gas emissions, the urgency for action is clear. Yet environmental impacts span beyond CO₂ emissions, including resource depletion, water and air pollution, and biodiversity loss.

Paradigm Brussels and the wider Brussels Region are leading by example, embedding sustainability into the core of their digital strategies. What started as a procurement-driven approach has evolved into a more holistic framework for change across regional administrations. Through coordinated action, Brussels is promoting a profound cultural and organisational shift—raising awareness, training civil servants, and aligning procurement processes with broader environmental goals. The approach recognises that sustainable IT is not a one-off project but a continuous process involving engagement with suppliers, updated specifications, and internal transformation.

Participants learned how public procurement can act as a powerful lever. By including sustainability criteria in tenders—such as repairability, energy efficiency, use of recycled content, and presence of hazardous substances—cities and public bodies can drive real change. Paradigm shared how the Brussels Region’s strategic approach includes piloting, engaging with suppliers, and promoting digital sobriety, such as buying fewer but better devices and encouraging equipment sharing models like leasing or BYOD.

A particularly useful framework discussed was the “3U rule” for IT investments: Is it useful? Is it used? Is it usable? This rule encourages a culture of need-based, efficient procurement and optimised use of resources.

To conclude, the session made it clear that sustainable IT procurement is a demanding yet essential exercise, requiring a combination of precise technical criteria, user awareness, and a willingness to adopt new models. It is not about greenwashing—it is about asking the right questions, backing them with evidence, and sending a clear market signal.

The study visit continued with expert exchanges, including with Rob Renaerts of CODUCO, and active participation in the GreenTech Forum sessions on the 17 and 18 June, where public buyers explored business models for durable and repairable IT, data centre efficiency, and mutualised procurement governance.

This joint visit marked a key step in strengthening collective capacity and aligning sustainable digital procurement across European cities and public authorities.

Presentations shared during the study visit can be accessed here (members only).