News

26 September 2024

Following a successful Milan edition in 2023, the European Business and Nature Summit will reconvene in 2025 to catalyse transformative actions that businesses to transition towards a nature-positive society. The EU Business and Biodiversity Platform, as lead organiser of the Summit, aims to announce the location and date of the 2025 Summit edition in this newsletter towards the end of 2024. Stay tuned!

The year 2024 builds on the existing momentum on biodiversity and calls for growing transformative action from business. The EU Business and Biodiversity Platform welcomes the organization of the second edition of the EU Business and Biodiversity Forum led by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) in Brussels on September 19th. The event organised by WWF will be essential to explore the key role of businesses in the changing international and European context and at the upcoming UN biodiversity conference, COP 16. Don't miss this opportunity to connect with experts, pioneering companies, and peers who are shaping the future of biodiversity action.

When it comes to the biodiversity, business as usual is no longer desirable nor acceptable. The Biodiversity Basics Webinars are here to help introduce newcomers to the field of biodiversity and assist them on their journey towards building a nature positive business. Join us on July 4th from 14:00 to 15:00 CEST to understand how latest trends and regulatory requirements in this space can be used as a positive driving force for your business.

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Launched in May 2024, this online criteria tool for socially responsible public procurement was developed, updated and published by a collaboration between the Flemish government and the Dutch government, which was commissioned to a consortium of companies from both locations. Those interested can choose the criteria according to 3 levels and by theme with over 350 criteria to download.

The report, elaborated through a research methodology, which included desk research, surveys, interviews and analysis of different legal frameworks, seeks to explore and demonstrate how public procurement can be used to achieve a low-carbon, circular and inclusive economy. The document also contains best practices of socially responsible and GPP across Europe, focusing on social enterprises active in re-use-oriented activities.

An open call for applications for a consortium of health procurers who want to procure together the development of innovative solutions for environmentally sustainable, climate-neutral and circular health and care systems. This project aims to: stimulate the competitive development of innovative and sustainable solutions; reduce carbon emissions and minimise waste and pollution stemming from health and care provision, among others. Deadline: 26 November!

Big news: the European Innovation Procurement Awards have been launched! If you are a public or private buyer who purchased the development or the deployment of an innovative solution, don't hesitate to apply! The awards have two categories: 1. Innovation procurement initiative (including implementation), and 2. Facing societal challenges category: - “Net Zero Industry Procurement”. You have time until 26 September. Applications can be sent in your national language.

The Province of Flemish Brabant has used the procurement of its monument conservation services to provide people distant from the labour market with training, sustainable employment and guidance opportunities. The Heritage Department of the Province of Flemish Brabant sought to hire teams to carry out maintenance and restoration work on valuable, non-protected immovable heritage with a public function, located in its territory. These services include both precautionary measures and urgent maintenance work on heritage.

In 2021, the Action plan to increase the proportion of green public procurement and green innovation was adopted. In this context, a new joint state agreement for the reuse and recycling of ICT equipment was approved. This agreement includes services for the collection, transport, secure deletion of data and sorting for reuse or material recycling of the equipment. It is also in line with the waste hierarchy principles established by the DFØ, and ensures that purchasers and providers follow the priorities which are central to the circular economy.

As athletics from across the globe gear up for the event of the year with the dream of taking back home gold, the final preparations are underway in the French capital. Since it put forward its candidacy, the City of Paris has set itself the ambitious goal of hosting sustainable Olympic and Paralympic games.

Check the latest news on Sustainable Production and Consumption!

As the first companies are getting ready to report in 2025 for the financial year 2024 under the CSRD, the German EMAS Advisory Board (UGA) publishes a policy paper analysing the synergies and differences between the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) and the European Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS).

On April 9, the EMAS Helpdesk, in collaboration with the European Commission (EC), the European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG), Club EMAS, the Austrian Federal Environmental Agency and Umweltgutachterausschuss (UGA), hosted a webinar for EMAS-registered small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The webinar focused on the draft of EFRAG on sustainability reporting standards.

CD PROJEKT, a leading digital entertainment company known for its influential games such as The Witcher and Cyberpunk 2077, became the first games company to register to EMAS (EU Eco-Management and Audit Scheme) scheme. This certification shows the company's commitment to environmental stewardship and showcases CD PROJEKT's dedication to sustainable practices.

FC Porto is the first sports club in Portugal and Europe to achieve EMAS certification, making an important contribution to sustainability. FC Porto has benefited from the support of the FREE KICKS project, co-funded by the European Union to promotes circular economy and environmental sustainability in soccer organizations.

The Directorate-General for the Environment is thrilled to announce the launch of the #WaterWiseEU campaign and is inviting you to become a #WaterWiseEU campaign partner!

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