Implementation of eco-management and audit scheme (EMAS) in government buildings in Catalonia
About this good practice
The action is in line with Catalonia Government goal of increasing energy efficiency, reinforced by the current context of crisis generated by COVID-19 and the increase in the resources cost derived from current energy crisis.Context generated by COVID-19 has boosted EMAS as a highly competent tool for to improve the environmental performance of the Government of Catalonia's buildings.
EMAS will allow Catalan Government to carry out its strategies of energy efficiency promoting transition to renewable energies, CO2 emissions reduction, sustainable mobility, green/circular public procurement, others.
The action has developed 3 working groups:
- Training courses: aimed at responsible for system and future managers
- Corporate digital support tools for environmental management: involves responsible of EMAS management software to manage energy efficiency and monitoring of consumption of buildings. A pilot project is being carried out to implement this management software in buildings where EMAS has already been implemented
- Networking experiences: experts from other organisations are invited to share experiences in this field in order to promote exchange and learning
Main stakeholders of this good practice are public administration of Catalan Government. Society as a whole will benefit too as it will indirectly receive the favourable effects derived from an efficient use of resources. The action can also be a benchmark for the efficient management of privately owned buildings.
Resources needed
1 coordinator of the working groups and pilot project
1 person in charge of each working group
1 technician responsible for EMAS implementation in each building unit
1 team of trainers according to needs
Estimated budget for EMAS management software: 60K
Evidence of success
We have a history of successful EMAS implementation in a different sites belonging to the Government of Catalonia: e.g. 129 centres of Catalan Institute of Health, 27 ports under the jurisdiction of the Government of Catalonia, 4 centres of Department of Vice-Presidency and Digital Policies and Territory.
Extrapolation of experience to other buildings will be absolutely satisfactory. EMAS aims to promote a process of continuous improvement in order to optimise the consumption of energy resources
Potential for learning or transfer
The good practice is essential for Catalan public administrations as global and EU challenges lead them to formulate territorial and energy policies to align Catalonia with global fight against climate change and respect for biodiversity. Monitoring resource consumption, energy efficiency of buildings, increasing implementation of environmental sustainability criteria, setting targets, implementing green public procurement action plans can only be done in a structured way through an EMS.
The good practice is structured to facilitate the transfer to public administration in other European regions. Given the interest and the need on the part of public building management bodies to implement management procedures aimed at increasing the efficient use of resources and identifying opportunities for improvement in the field of energy efficiency, this good practice could be positioned in a very competent way to improve the environmental performance in the use of public buildings through EMAS.