Covenant of Companies

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! 

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! 

✅ 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! 

🥇 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. 

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! 

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.

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. 

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5. Interview | Clean energy transition and energy system integration 

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. 

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!

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

Register here to follow the streaming of the session.

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.

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. 

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. 

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 it now.

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).