Building on the success of its pilot project launched in 2001, the European Commission has now decided to extend its environmental management system to all its activities and buildings in Brussels and Luxembourg. With this certification scheme the Commission implements a system that defines and evaluates environmental aspects of its activities, leading to continuous improvements in areas such as increased energy efficiency, optimal use of natural resources and reduction of CO 2 emissions.

Based on the positive outcomes of the pilot phase, the environmental management system based on the EMAS regulation (Eco-Management and Audit Scheme) has proven to be the most appropriate instrument to manage and improve environmental performance at the European Commission. The system also demonstrated synergies between different departments and involved employees in working towards common objectives.

The decision taken by the Commission extends this management system to all its activities and buildings in Brussels and Luxembourg. Official EMAS registration by the competent national authorities should be achieved in 2012 for all Commission activities, and in 2014 for all buildings.

Main achievements of EMAS pilot phase in Brussels ( 2002- 2008)

• Reduction of energy consumption, water consumption and CO 2 emissions from buildings: Electricity and water consumption have fallen by 14% and 23% per m² respectively. CO 2 emissions were reduced by over 7% per m² in these buildings.
• Reduction of paper consumption
• Offset paper consumption was reduced by 48 %, and office paper by 41 % since 2003.
• Reduction of waste generation
• The amount of waste generated decreased by 11 % from 331 kg/person/year to 294 kg/person/year. About 54 % of this volume is recycled.
• Promotion of sustainable means of transport

The latest survey data (mid-2008) indicates the positive impacts of the Commission efforts to promote sustainable means of transport. The proportion of staff in Brussels commuting by private car has fallen to 29% (from 50% in 1998), while the proportion using public transport — bus, tram, metro or train — has risen to 50% (from 32% in 1998).

The Commission is working closely with the Brussels Region on a new urban planning project focused on the area around its main building cluster in Brussels. One of the goals is to make the neighbourhood a more sustainable place in which to work and live, with specific attention to sustainable transport.

The European Commission has long been at the political forefront of fighting global climate change. As an organisation with a large workforce, it also leads by example and makes a real difference. With these kind of initiatives, the Commission aims to be an example to boost its campaign on sustainability and climate change, on which it has developed a legislative package.