• The EIB Group is officially joining the EMAS family
  • In providing extra support to monitor and manage green performances, target setting and implementation, EMAS will provide key benefits
  • EIB is ahead of its target in terms of its GHG emissions and, with EMAS, it is on its way to go the extra mile

The EIB Group has registered officially with the EU Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS (1)), the European environmental management instrument. This was confirmed by the Ministère du Développement Durable et des Infrastructures (Ministry of Sustainable Development and Infrastructure), the Luxembourg body responsible for issuing EMAS certification. After an intensive 8-month period of internal work, the EIB Group is joining the ever-growing EMAS family in Luxembourg. 

On its successful EMAS registration, EIB Secretary General Marjut Santoni said: "This achievement is attributable to EIB-wide efforts and intense cooperation across all services. Being EMAS-minded will motivate each one of us to minimise our environmental impact. As the EU financing institution targeting climate action as a priority, we must demonstrate the same strong commitment to the environment that we require from our stakeholders and business partners.”

The EIB Group – EIB and EIF, the European Investment Fund – has been measuring, managing and publishing its own greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions on an annual basis since 2007, and it has introduced measures to reduce its climate impact in line with the EU’s 2020 goal of reducing emissions by 20% below 1990 levels. The EIB Group is well ahead of this target, having achieved a 48.5% reduction in its GHG emissions per employee since 2007. Since 2014, the EIB Group has also fully offset its own residual GHG emissions through the purchase of emissions reductions – validated, certified and regularly assessed vis-à-vis the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) and the Climate Community and Biodiversity Standard (CCBS).

In line with this trend, the EIB will apply the EMAS framework, enabling it to set specific annual objectives and targets, helping to measure, manage and improve its overall environmental performance year on year in key areas such as energy efficiency, waste management and staff mobility among others. Using EMAS, the Bank will apply a consistent and recognised environmental management system across the institution. This will provide a holistic view on what the EIB – department by department – is doing to be ever more sustainable.

The overall objectives of EMAS are to evaluate, report to the public and promote the continuous improvement of internal environmental performance. An Environmental Statement will be published annually, the first of which can be found on the EIB website.


About the EU Eco-Management and Audit Scheme.
EMAS is recognised at the international level. It was developed by the European Commission for companies and other organisations to evaluate, report and improve their environmental performance. EMAS is available for every type of organisation eager to improve its environmental performance. It spans all economic and service sectors and is applicable worldwide. More information on EMAS is available on http://ec.europa.eu/environment/emas/index_en.htm.
See also for EMAS certification in Luxembourg:
https://guichet.public.lu/fr/entreprises/commerce/labels/labels-ecologiques/emas.html

 

[1] Council Regulation 1836/93, EC Eco-Management and Audit Scheme.