Twenty-five Years of EMAS: Transparent Environmental Management for Europe

All over Europe for a quarter century, the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) has helped companies to become more sustainable, environmentally friendly, and transparent. With the European Green Deal and the economic recovery from Covid-19, it is even more important to discuss perspectives.

Companies that plan for the long term pay attention to environmental protection and sustainability. These topics are becoming increasingly important for society and politics. Many EU member states' stimulus programmes that aim to mitigate the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic contain stipulations on social justice and environmental impact. A goal of the EU Commission's European Green Deal is for all of Europe to be climate-neutral by the year 2050. Those who act today to systematically implement sustainable, environmentally friendly and socially responsible business practices will have a clear headstart. Since 1995, European companies wanting consistent progress and transparency in these important areas have relied upon EMAS.

Anniversary conference on September 29

But 25 years of EMAS are only the beginning. The Federal Environmental Ministry's Anniversary conference on September 29, 2020 looks forward instead of back. Under the title "Between stimulus programme and European Green Deal – perspectives for corporate sustainability management", experts from German and European politics, science, and the economy will meet online to discuss the future of business in Europe. Two main issues will be addressed: How can sustainable business practices be used to overcome the Covid-19 crisis? How can resilient, adaptable, environmentally sustainable business practices be established all over Europe?

adelphi is involved in organising the conference and is looking forward to a lively discussion. In addition, adelphi has been hosting the German EMAS Advisory Board (UGA) since 2007.

Get involved!

Businesses and interested persons are invited to participate. You can join the virtual conference, and on September 28, 2020, UGA offers two German-language online workshops on climate and environmental protection in businesses. Learn more about [Grocery] Retailers – Trailblazers or Latecomers in Protecting Our Climate and Environment? and Identifying and Managing Business-related Climated Risks. To raise awareness about EMAS, there will be a social media campaign on September 28 and 29: We are flying the flag for corporate sustainability. Join us with the hashtags #ecoflagship #EMAS, get your own EMAS flag, and use your social media channels to show the success EMAS has helped you achieve in sustainable business practices.

Further information

Website for EMAS in Germany

Conference programme (German)

Contact person: rietmannadelphi [dot] de (Helena Rietmann)