The Circular & Fair ICT Pact (CFIT) is gaining momentum as a global collaboration of governments and public-sector organisations aiming to reshape how information and communication technology (ICT) is procured. The initiative, part of the UN One Planet Network’s sustainable procurement programme, leverages collective purchasing power to drive change in the ICT industry. At its core is a structured framework based on the procurement cycle, covering pre-tender, tendering, and post-use, to promote sustainability and fairness throughout the ICT value chain.
The hidden cost of digital dependence
ICT is essential to modern society, but its supply chain has significant social and environmental impacts. These include carbon emissions, hazardous chemicals, exploitative labour, and growing electronic waste. While public procurement is often viewed as administrative, CFIT recognises its strategic power to push markets toward circularity and fairness. With governments accounting for a significant share of ICT demand, procurement decisions can influence how and what the market offers.
Four strategies drive sustainable ICT
The CFIT framework outlines four procurement strategies: Buy Less, Buy Better, Use Better, and Use Longer. These approaches reflect a shift from linear purchasing to lifecycle thinking. Buying fewer devices reduces demand for raw materials. Buying better focuses on improved product design, transparency, and longer usability. Using better emphasises efficiency and shared use. Using longer prioritises repair, refurbishment, and verified end-of-life processing. Together, these strategies aim to reduce emissions, cut down on hazardous materials, promote fair labour, and conserve resources.
Supporting public buyers through collaboration
CFIT supports procurement professionals with tools, case studies, and shared criteria. This collaborative approach fosters consistent sustainable practices across borders and sectors. The framework also offers public buyers practical guidance for embedding circularity and fairness into their procurement processes. By creating a common language and methodology, CFIT enables both experienced and emerging organisations to take aligned steps toward better ICT purchasing decisions.
Impact areas go beyond carbon footprint
The pact targets four key impact areas: circularity and reduced raw material dependency, human rights due diligence and transparency, energy use and emissions, and the reduction of hazardous chemicals. These areas reflect a broad understanding of sustainability, ensuring that the benefits of digital technology do not come at the cost of people or the planet. As CFIT evolves, its open-access approach allows stakeholders to build on each other’s work and scale collective progress.
Market
Trade-in
Repair
Refurbishing
