The European Parliament officially renewed its Environmental Policy, on Wednesday 6 November, by making a formal commitment to maintain the Parliament's EMAS registration and its environmental approach of continuous improvement by using the Environmental Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS).
The document on this subject, adopted by the Parliament’s Bureau on 16 September, was signed on Wednesday in the Environment Committee at a ceremony attended by President David Sassoli.
He said he was "confident that the new Environmental Policy will provide a crucial impetus for innovation, creative ideas and improved environmental performance at the European Parliament".
The Parliament's administration will respect strict environmental standards and energy efficiency criteria in all its policies relating to the institution's buildings and will intensify its efforts to introduce best practices to limit its main environmental impacts, in particular greenhouse gas emissions, waste management, energy, water and paper use.
In 2018, the European Parliament recorded a 37.7% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to 2006, a 60% reduction in paper consumption and a 23% reduction in food waste, while the waste recycling rate was increased to 70%, according to a statement from the European institution. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)