Green Procurement Strategies for Balancing Cost Efficiency with Long-Term Environmental Responsibility

Green procurement, defined as the systematic incorporation of environmental and sustainability considerations into purchasing decisions, has emerged as a strategic imperative for organizations seeking to balance cost efficiency with long-term environmental responsibility. While conventional procurement models traditionally emphasize price reduction, quality assurance, and timely delivery, the evolving socio-economic context has necessitated a paradigm shift toward approaches that integrate ecological and social dimensions. This transition has been accelerated by global sustainability agendas, regulatory frameworks, and the rising expectations of stakeholders. However, achieving a balance between the short-term financial goals of organizations and the long-term imperatives of environmental protection remains complex. This paper undertakes a comprehensive literature-based analysis of green procurement strategies developed up to 2022, with a focus on how organizations reconcile cost efficiency with sustainability objectives. By synthesizing theoretical frameworks, empirical studies, and applied methodologies, the review highlights the evolution of procurement practices from compliance-driven initiatives to strategic sustainability-oriented systems. The discussion emphasizes multi-criteria decision-making, life cycle costing, and supplier collaboration as key mechanisms for integrating economic and environmental goals. The findings demonstrate that while green procurement can enhance organizational reputation, reduce risks, and generate long-term economic gains, it also entails challenges such as higher initial costs, data limitations, and implementation complexities. This paper contributes to ongoing scholarly and managerial debates by consolidating insights from diverse disciplines and offering a structured foundation for the advancement of procurement strategies that align short-term economic imperatives with long-term environmental stewardship.