The GGI was launched in 2021, and currently has over 60 OECD Members and non-Members participating, with representation from senior government officials working on the greening of government operations. Participation in the initiative is voluntary.
As efforts to address climate change and other environmental sustainability issues intensify, government officials are developing and implementing new approaches to greening government. In many countries, the government is the largest real estate holder, fleet owner, electricity consumer, and purchaser of goods and services. Government efforts therefore not only have direct emissions impacts, but also send demand signals that can spur economy-wide actions, drive zero-carbon technologies and markets, lower decarbonization costs, and demonstrate leadership by example in a wide range of sectors such as buildings, fleets and procurement of goods and services.