Innovation comes in a number of forms and starts with being open to new ways of thinking and creating forums where these ideas can be considered and assessed. Contracting authorities should consider how they can continuously improve their approach to innovation, from seeking to improve processes and products already in place to applying existing technology to new markets to developing new products and processes which lead to transformational change. This continued improvement should consider any unintended conflict between the approach to innovation and the commercial conditions around this.
Projects and programmes should engage in innovative thinking from the start through early engagement. Research and innovation-based procedures which go beyond engagement to inviting the market to suggest novel solutions to problems should also be considered.
Contracting authorities should require that solutions put forward by potential suppliers are accompanied by a whole life carbon assessment. This should be conducted in collaboration with the wider supply chain, reflecting ways of minimising the GHG emissions across the life of the asset.
Whole life carbon assessments are expected to mature over time with higher-level assessments at the early engagement phase developing into robust assessments included in the final tender documentation.