Brussels, 30/11/2012 (Agence Europe) - On 29 November in Brussels, during an awards ceremony organised by the European Commission, the names of the six organisations that won this year's European Eco-Management and Audit Scheme “EMAS Awards” were announced. The awards are made for excellence in respecting and safeguarding the environment, and in applying innovative solutions to improve their water management. The theme of the 2012 Awards is “Water Management, including Water Efficiency and Water Quality”.
Environment Commissioner Janez Potocnik congratulated the prize-winners, which are as follows:
For the private sector: - winner in the micro-organisation category: Abwasserverband Anzbach Laabental (Austria); winner for small organisations: Riechey Freizeitanlagen GmbH & Co. KG (Germany); winner for medium-sized organisations: Neumarkter Lammsbräu Gebr. Ehrnsperger e. K. (Germany); winner for large organisations: Lafarge Cement (UK).
For the public-sector: - winner in small organisations category: Comune di Tavarnelle Val di Pesa (Tuscany, Italy); winner for large organisations: Bristol City Council (UK).
This year there were 27 organisations from 14 European countries in the running. Prize-winners were chosen by a jury of experts, chaired by Jacqueline McGlade, the executive director of the European Environment Agency (EEA). The prize-winning ceremony took place in Brussels.
The European Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) is a management tool for organisations aiming to improve their environmental and financial performance and communicate their environmental achievements. It helps organisations participating in this system on a voluntary basis (according to the terms of the European regulation 1221/2009) to enhance performance, credibility and transparency in their activities. Since 2005, the European Commission has awarded an annual prize in recognition of outstanding achievements by EMAS participants in a specific environmental management field. (AN/transl.fl)