The European Union is committed to environmental protection
worldwide, and this commitment includes environmental policy within
its institutions. As an EU institution, the European Court of
Auditors (ECA) has a duty to contribute to sustainable development
by applying the principles of sound environmental management in its
day-to-day work.
Environmental Policy
On 28 November 2014, the European Court of Auditors adopted an environmental
policy formalising its participation in a high-quality environmental
management initiative. Through this policy the ECA commits itself to:
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introducing measures to reduce carbon dioxide emissions;
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promoting the efficient use of energy and taking steps to reduce
its consumption of electricity, water and paper;
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including environmental criteria in its public procurement
procedures;
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applying best practices in waste management;
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encouraging all staff to act sustainably and contribute actively
to achieving the objectives of this policy.
Environmental standard ISO 14001:2015
The ECA complies with the certification requirements of the
internationally agreed quality standard ISO 14001:2015
(Environmental management system) and is officially ISO 14001
certified.
Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS)
We take part in the EU Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS), a
management tool for evaluating, reporting on and improving
organisations' environmental performance. We achieved EMAS
registration in March 2017, and we successfully operate an
environmental management system in line with EMAS Regulation (EC) No
1221/2009, as amended by Regulation (EU) No 2017/1505, and ISO
14001.
For additional information, please see the ECA's environmental
statement, validated by an accredited verifier, in which we present
our environmental performance results and any future plans for
improvement.
Report on the ECA's carbon footprint
In 2014, the ECA drew up its first carbon footprint report, with a view to
measuring the greenhouse gas emissions produced by the ECA's activities,
and with the aim of systematically reducing its CO2.
The aim of this report, which is reassessed and published every year, is to
keep track of the impact of the ECA's efforts to reduce our carbon
footprint.
The ECA is currently drafting a roadmap to reduce emissions by 2030, to meet
the targets set by the European Green Deal.
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