How to decarbonise your company – A New Pledging Scheme and Second Call For Technical Assistance – Meet us at EUSEW2023!
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  20/06/2023  

Covenant of Companies

for Climate and Energy

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In the spotlight
Dear readers,
👋 Welcome to the fourth edition of the Covenant of Companies for Climate and Energy newsletter!

It is Tuesday 20 June 2023, meaning we have 9693 days until 2050 – when our net zero future must begin.  

With the warmer season now upon us, new challenges arise. Lack of rainfall, heatwaves and droughts are affecting the EU’s Southern countries, while we witness a worrying increase in average temperature and adverse weather conditions across the broader European continent. 

In this context, investment in alternative and renewable resources has become a priority. Now more than ever, the role of the EU as the frontrunner of the clean energy transition is vital. 

However, we need a joint effort from public authorities, policymakers, associations and stakeholders at EU, national and regional levels. And enterprises also have a role to play. 

Big, medium-sized or small companies can contribute to paving the way to a net zero future in Europe, whereby harmful greenhouse gases are removed from the atmosphere. Not only for the benefit of our planet, but also for their own interests – from saving on energy bills to stepping ahead of others in the race to net zero, reducing carbon emissions has countless advantages. 

You may think that decarbonising your business would be too difficult, costly, take too long and be too complicated. If that’s your case, the Covenant of Companies is about to prove you wrong – we are here to guide you, support you, and make you realise that your decarbonisation journey can be easier than expected. 

The first step is quite simple: all you need to do is make a pledge. If you wonder what exactly this means, keep reading and you will find out! 

Make a pledge now and embark on your net zero journey!
The Covenant of Companies recently launched a brand-new pledging scheme that supports European companies on their decarbonisation journey.

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By making a pledge, companies commit to taking climate action and reducing their carbon emissions. All commitments are welcome, no matter how big or small.

🤔 And what do the pledging companies get in exchange?  

In addition to paving the way to a net zero future, companies will receive: 

⚙️ Practical, step-by-step guidance and technical assistance 

💸 Advice on energy- saving costs 

📉 Measurement of their carbon footprint  

⚡ Support to boost their sustainability measures 

 🙌 Among many more benefits! 

Regardless of their size, sector, or the stage they are in on their journey towards a clean energy transition, all companies based in the EU are eligible for pledging. 

Sounds good, right? Make a pledge and start saving on your energy bills now! 

Click here to pledge and commit! 

Second Technical Assistance in practice
Now let’s assume that you are a company that has already made a pledge. What can you expect now?

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✅ As a pledging company, you are offered a wide range of services to help you navigate your decarbonisation process, including energy audit assistance, training on technologies, guidance to create an action plan and support in accessing local or national financial support. 

However, if you feel that the predefined services do not meet your needs, you can indicate any other service that you are interested in and the CCCE Technical Secretariat will do their best to accommodate your request. 

📚 Depending on your level of commitment, you will gain access to a series of masterclasses that range from “How to develop an action plan to reduce your carbon emissions” to “How to get started on solar energy”. 

Technical Assistance will be available in Dutch, English, French and German and to a limited extent in Bulgarian, Lithuanian, Romanian and Spanish. 

Sounds appealing? Then join the Covenant now! 

Click here to pledge and request Technical Assistance! 

Earn visibility for your efforts!
But there’s more!

🥇 Applicants will also be recognised for taking climate action and awarded a Bronze, Silver, or Gold Seal of Approval, depending on the magnitude of their efforts. The companies will receive the Seals in the form of certificates and social media assets. The Seals will illustrate to their customers and consumers the businesses’ climate-consciousness and progress towards decarbonisation. 

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So, ready to sign up to the Covenant of Companies and join a community of environmentally-conscious businesses across the European Union? 

Click here to pledge and earn a Seal of Approval! 

Hints and tips…
New guide published: understanding science-based targets
A guide to Science-Based Targets.

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The Covenant of Companies has recently published a ‘Guide to Science-Based Targets’ to clarify the concept of science-based targets and what they could mean for companies participating in the Covenant of Companies.

New guide: exploring e-tools
Analysis of e-tools supporting SMEs in reducing greenhouse gas emissions

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In addition, a guide on the ‘Analysis of e-tools supporting SMEs in reducing greenhouse gas emissions’ is available, containing explanatory information and a criteria-based assessment of software tools that support companies in reducing their GHG emissions. 

Policy news
🗞️ Here are the top 5 energy news items that you should read today:

1. ‘Clean energy is moving fast’: Solar set to overtake oil in investments for the first time ever   

2. Europe on the verge of permitting leap for wind, solar farms  

3. France drops pink atomic bomb on EU green energy talks 

4. EU pushes alternative model to China in global race for raw materials 

5. Interview | Clean energy transition and energy system integration 

 

Meanwhile in…
Polish company Plast-Farb shares its positive experience with the Covenant of Companies
Thanks to the Covenant, many companies have already embarked on their own net zero journeys and joined a community of environmentally conscious businesses working to reduce their emissions.

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This is the case of Plast-Farb, one of the leading plastic manufacturers in Poland with over 30 years of experience. 

In this edition of the Covenant newsletter, we sit with Karol Lewczyk, Sales Manager of Plast-Farb, to talk about the company’s experience with the CCCE.  

Why did you decide to apply to join the Covenant of Companies? 

2030 is the year when we need to have our carbon footprint calculation prepared. At Plast-Farb we felt the need of going one step ahead and starting to act already. However, we did not have any specialist on decarbonisation in the company, so we started searching and discussing with companies we work with, and this is how we found the Covenant of Companies. We saw the Covenant as the perfect opportunity to learn how to reduce our carbon footprint emissions and be guided in the process in order to be prepared for 2030. 

How has your experience been with the Covenant of Companies so far? 

Our experience with the Covenant has been definitely very positive. The Covenant’s technical assistance provided us with the knowledge to learn how to calculate our carbon footprint and its impact. Thanks to the Covenant of Companies, we know what we need to do to become more eco-friendly, and we are one step ahead of other companies. 

Hear about the first-hand experience of Plast-Farb, Poland, beneficiary of the Covenant of Companies in this video. Learn more about Plast-Farb on their website. 

Spreading the word
Takeaways from the last CCCE Steering Committee meeting
On 26 April, the Steering Committee of the Covenant of Companies came together to reflect on the progress we've made and to cast our gaze towards the exciting and important work that lies ahead.
 
more
 
See you there!
Meet the Covenant of Companies at EU Sustainable Energy Week
The European Sustainable Energy Week is here! From 20 to 22 June, Europe's biggest annual event dedicated to renewables and efficient energy use in Europe is back for its 2023 edition.

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The event consists of a three-day long Policy Conference, the European Sustainable Energy Awards Ceremony, the Energy Fair, and the fourth European Youth Energy Day. Sessions will focus on accelerating the clean energy transition towards lower bills and greater skills.  

Visitors can explore a multitude of projects, gain valuable insights, and learn about cutting-edge developments in the field. With a wide range of participants, the Energy Fair serves as a hub for sharing ideas and fostering collaborations that will shape the future of renewable energy. 

The best part is, members of the Covenant of Companies Secretariat, together with the Covenant of Mayors Europe and the Smart Cities Marketplace, are in attendance to answer any questions about the Covenant and our technical assistance programme in person.

We were already honoured to receive the visit of Kadri Simson, EU Commisioner for Energy! We got the chance to tell her more about the initiative and update her on the newest actions. Be like Commissioner Simson and visit our stand to learn more about the Covenant and how it supports EU companies on their decarbonisation journey!

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Register now to join us at European Sustainable Energy Week 2023! 

Policy Session: Powering up small and medium-sized enterprises: policy measures and digital tools to support renewables and energy efficiency
On Thursday 22 June, in the framework of the #EUSEW2023, the Covenant of Companies will feature in the session ‘Powering up SMEs: policy measures and digital tools to support renewables and energy efficiency’, organised in cooperation with the European Commission’s Directorate for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW).

Register here to follow the streaming of the session.

 

Featured
Join the excitement: capture the essence of EU Islands this summer!
As summer gets closer, long-awaited holidays approach and with them, plenty of opportunity for beautiful photographs!

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The Clean energy for EU islands secretariat has launched a call for submissions of stunning photographs from across the European Union. Show your photography skills and join the excitement by sending your photograph and get it transformed into a beautiful postcard. 

The selected postcards will be showcased on the Clean energy for EU islands vibrant social media platforms and website and printed for distribution among their regional partners. Furthermore, they will be prominently displayed at next year's highly anticipated Clean energy for EU islands forum in 2024! 

Submit your masterpiece to info@euislands.eu. Deadline is 30 June 2023

More information on the Clean Energy for EU islands website.

Call for application of interest for 30 renewable energy islands
Get ready to dive headfirst into the Clean energy for EU islands’ call for the application of interest for 30 renewable islands for 2030.

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The aim of this call is to identify and provide technical support to 30 islands or groups of islands for the next three years. Thus, propelling islands towards the ambitious target of achieving complete energy independence through 100% renewable sources by 2030. 

More information on the Clean Energy for EU islands website

Need guidance for your green transition? Looking for funding?
The Committee of the Regions has something for you!

The CoR's Green Deal Going Local Handbook aims to help local and regional authorities in implementing the EU Green Deal on the ground. The first edition of the Handbook provides information on financial aid and technical assistance for implementing climate adaptation measures. The first edition of the Handbook provides information on financial aid and technical assistance for implementing climate adaptation measures.  It features a toolkit for each EU Member State, with step-by-step guidance adapted to the local context. Future editions of the Handbook will focus on renovation wave and biodiversity protection. 

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The CoR's Green Deal Funding Alert is a monthly newsletter that keeps you informed about funding opportunities and initiatives that support sustainable development and the transition to climate neutrality. Read the April and May newsletters and sign-up here to receive the Funding Alerts in your Inbox (select "Green Deal Going Local" in your campaign of interest).

Watch again
Watch our Pledging & Technical Assistance webinar
Discover how the CCCE pledging scheme and technical assistance work in practice by watching our dedicated webinar.

🎬Watch it now.

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The DEESME & streamSAVE final event materials
Missed out on the streamSAVE & DEESME final event “From potentials to achievements: Unlocking the power of energy savings”?

You can find all the materials on their website: including a presentation of the Covenant of Companies in the Panel “Achieving energy savings in industry” (as of minute 36:40). 

Tweet of the month
Check out the top tweet about the Covenant of Companies in the past month!
Like, share and engage with us on social media using the hashtag #CovenantOfCompanies.

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Covenant of Companies for Climate and Energy – European Commission.

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ISSN: 2443-6240 | Catalogue Number: MJ-AY-23-001-EN-N