Environmental
The EPO is committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2030. This means working towards delivering all our products and services with the lowest possible environmental impact, whilst maintaining our high quality standards. We contribute to the United Nations Agenda 2030 and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Reducing our environmental footprint
Based on the continuous monitoring of critical areas such as climate change mitigation, improving energy efficiency, implementing responsible procurement processes and waste management, conserving water and protecting biodiversity, we are pursuing an actionable plan to reduce our carbon footprint, as stated in the principles and objectives of our Environmental Policy, thereby contributing to UN SDG 13 (climate action).
Assessing our environmental impact
Evaluating the EPO’s environmental impact is more than a regulatory requirement: it’s an insightful exercise that reveals risks and identifies scope for improvement. This is key to optimising our resource usage, minimising pollution and proactively addressing climate change challenges, all of which can substantially benefit our organisation and the environment.
Following the adoption of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, we have aligned our environmental reporting to include direct and indirect emissions across the value chain of our activities.
We publish annual environmental reports to communicate transparently on our environmental impact.
Areas of focus
Buildings
The efficient management of our buildings aims to reduce our energy consumption, optimise the use of our office space and create an engaging physical home for our people.
Read moreSuppliers
The EPO’s Sustainable Procurement Policy ensures that we partner with suppliers who recognise their responsibility to protect the environment, adhere to legal standards and respect human rights.
Read moreMobility
We have installed over 2 000 bike racks and dedicated repair stations on our premises, along with charging stations for e-bike batteries. 20% of our parking spaces are equipped with electric vehicle charging points.
ICT sustainability
The EPO takes a proactive approach to digital responsibility and e-waste management. In 2023, over 50% of the e-waste at the Office was repaired and reused, whilst the rest was recycled.
Waste
We are reducing waste by increasing our focus on a circular economy and the principles of reduce, reuse, recycle. Wastepaper from our operations continues to decrease, as does paper printing.
Events
Our sustainable events are designed to increase the reach and maximise the impact of all EPO events, while also reducing their environmental impact.
Validating results
The EPO has adhered to the European Commission’s Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) since 2009. Over the past 15 years, the scheme has helped the EPO to steadily lower its environmental impact.
Between 2008 and 2019, the Office reduced its consumption of electricity (-17%), fresh water (-15%) and paper (-3%), and produced substantially fewer carbon emissions from energy consumption (-76%).
The Strategic Plan 2023 further reinforced our environmental commitment. Between 2019 and 2023, consumption of energy (-32%), fresh water (-34%) and paper (-89%) dropped significantly. Our reported carbon footprint in the same period decreased by 56%.
With the Strategic Plan 2028, our journey to carbon neutrality continues. We are aiming to reduce the running costs of our buildings in Munich and The Hague by 25% and reduce our carbon footprint to less than 1 000 tonnes of CO₂ by the end of 2028.
Facts and reports
56%
decrease in CO2 since 2019
32%
decrease in energy since 2019
34%
decrease in water consumption since 2019
89%
decrease in paper consumption since 2019
Environmental reports
The EPO publishes annual environmental reports to communicate transparently on its environmental impact.
Environmental policy
The EPO’s environmental policy outlines our plan for achieving carbon neutrality by 2030. It covers all aspects of our operations and reinforces our holistic approach to meeting our environmental commitments.
Environmental Policy 2023
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