The Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) has existed since 2012, but as part of the Fit for 55 programme it is being revised, and strengthened.
It's really 1 minute to 12 now. The new IPCC report 'Climate Change 2022: Mitigation of Climate Change' leaves no room for doubt. The options for halving our emissions in the next eight years are clearly described. It is striking that government purchasing power is specifically mentioned as one of these options for bringing about change.
The purpose of the taxonomy is to establish rules for which economic activities can be considered green - no mean feat. The idea is that it will: make it easier to invest in green activities, shift money to the sustainable economy, minimise greenwashing and increase clarity for all parties.
The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and the Foundation for Climate Friendly Procurement and Business (SKAO) are pleased to invite you to participate in a virtual event that will showcase a joint project on low-carbon infrastructure procurement.
A bicycle path made of elephant grass, blue synthetic diesel for the municipal fleet and street lighting with LED lamps. These are measures with which the municipality of Renkum has drastically reduced CO2 emissions. But in the coming years, Renkum will go much further.
The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) sets new rules for what and how companies must report on sustainability. It covers not only CO2 but also circularity, biodiversity and the rights of workers in the value chain, among other topics. The CSRD will apply to all large companies and listed SMEs - some 50,000 companies across the EU.
The Fit for 55 package is the set of measures designed to meet the EU’s 2030 climate goals. Foremost among them is the target is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55% in 2030 (compared to 1990). The package addresses the EU's climate, industrial, energy, transport and taxation policies, setting specific targets for each sector.
In the coming weeks, we will publice a series of articles to explain how the CO2 Performance Ladder can contribute to European climate policy. Today we start with the European Green Deal: we've all heard about it, but what exactly is it?
Green public procurement (GPP) is developing rapidly across Europe, and the CO2 Performance Ladder can play a large role in boostin those efforts. These are the results of recent research conducted by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD). Each year, European governments spend €1.8 trillion (14% of EU GDP) buying goods and services from the private sector but there is no requirement to consider the climate in these decisions. Shifting to green public procurement can result in a green revolution among companies and their supply chains, and the CO2 Performance Ladder can help.
Public procurement provides a key entry point for governments to change the trajectory of their greenhouse gas emissions, and to meet climate goals in line with their international commitments to the Paris Agreement, the Sustainable Development Goals, and - in Europe - to the European Green Deal. In the coming years, it is therefore essential that public procurement, which accounts for 15% of carbon emissions globally, becomes a driver of innovation and commercialization of low-carbon infrastructure, goods, and services. By Laura Turley, Liesbeth Casier and Ronja Bechauf from IISD. Read the original article here.
The board of The Foundation for Climate Friendly Procurement and Business (SKAO) has reduced the annual contribution for CO2 Performance Ladder certified organisations. The rates for 2022 have been reduced by about 5% compared to 2021. The new rates will come into effect on 1 March 2022. Organisations that have already met their financial obligations for the year 2022 will receive a refund of the excess amount paid.
In Antwerp, the ring road around the city is being made circular, complete with underground (and stacked) tunnels. The CO2 performance ladder was used for this gigantic project, but not in the way it is usually done. It was quite a challenge. Nevertheless, the management company Lantis hopes that the Ladder will contribute to making the multi-billion project as sustainable as possible.
