EMAS Awards
About this good practice
The EMAS Awards are a recognition for EMAS registered organizations (those competing each year under the 3 categories), but also for the new comers and for EMAS veterans as within the same ceremony, new EMAS registered organisations received their certificate and also those organisations that have been in EMAS for at least 10 years receive a special award. The EMAS awards are a way to stimulate continual environmental improvement from three different points of view:
- Communication: through the environmental statement.
- Involvement of interested parties.
- Environmental performance.
It’s also an opportunity to develop and disseminate the sense of an “EMAS Community”, stimulate networking among the organisations and facilitate the interaction with the public administration.
The award recognises the results obtained by the organizations, and it has the positive dissemination impact that can bring to new actions in other organisations from the same or different sector.
Expert opinion
EU Eco-management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) is a robust environmental management and auditing system designed to help organizations of all sizes improve their environmental performance. By participating in the scheme, businesses can reduce their environmental footprint, achieve cost savings, and gain a competitive edge. This practice is a positive initiative for promoting EMAS and good environmental practices at a regional level. It proved to be successful and contributed to the development of “EMAS Community” in the region, building a network of relevant organisations and facilitating the interaction between public and private sector. The practice can be inspiring for other regions interested to raise awareness about EMAS and encourage the improvement of environmental performance.
Resources needed
Evidence of success
An analysis across the 7 editions shows a relevant improvement in the environmental statements, actions involving interested parties presented by candidates to the EMAS Awards have inspired other organizations, results presented by the candidates vary from year to year (energy efficiency, waste prevention/reduction, reduction of emissions, etc.)
Potential for learning or transfer
From the legal point of view, there’s no need to create a specific legal instrument if there’s a private partner (i.e. EMAS Club or similar association) that can manage to publish the awards regulation. Otherwise, the EMAS CB will need to check for its specific internal regulations.
It provides a sense of “EMAS community”, an added value that other environmental management systems do not have.
It also allows interaction among EMAS registered organizations and other stakeholders as all the “EMAS community” is invited (new comers, veterans, accredited verifiers, public administrations, trade unions, etc.).
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Club EMAS