The role and impact of environmental sustainability measures in public sector organizations: A systematic literature review

Abstract

Sustainability is increasingly present in public policy agendas worldwide, yet environmental practices in this sector remain less studied than in the private sector. Public sector organizations face specific challenges, such as political cycles, bureaucracy, and lack of competition, which influence the implementation of sustainability practices. This study fills this gap in the literature by conducting a systematic literature review to identify environmental practices adopted in the public sector, their level of implementation, and key drivers and barriers. Results highlight practices adapted to the public context and reveal critical barriers, including technological limitations, lack of training, financial constraints, and bureaucratic obstacles.