PRESS DOSSIER 2006
European Business Awards for the Environment
organised by the European Commission - Directorate General for Environment
http://ec.europa.eu/comm/environment/business_awards
1. Introduction
The European Business Awards for the Environment are awarded by the European Commission, Directorate General for Environment, every two years and aim to recognise and reward European companies which set an example by successfully bringing together innovation, economic viability and environmental concerns. The scheme comprises four award categories in which companies are rewarded for management practices, products, processes or international co-operation activities which contribute to economic and social development without detriment to the environment.
To be eligible for competition in the European Business Awards for the Environment, companies first have to succeed in the national award schemes which are organised throughout Europe every year. This means that the companies awarded the European prize are ‘the best of the best’; the most far-sighted, responsible and innovative across Europe. Participation is open to companies from all EU member states and the candidate countries Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey. The submission of entries to the European level awards competition is managed by national coordinating bodies. A list of all national coordinators is provided in section 7 of the press dossier (page 15-18).
2. 2006 Nominees
The companies listed below were selected by the jury as nominees for the 2006 European Business Awards for the Environment. The winners of the 2006 European Business Awards for the Environment will be announced at the Award Ceremony for Green Week on 1 June 2006 in Brussels.
Further details on each of the four award categories are presented in section 5 below
Category 1: Management Award Rewarding companies for strategic visions and management systems which enable them to continuously improve their contribution to sustainable development.
Company: Aceria Compacta de Bizkaia SA - SPAIN Project title: ACB Integrated management system
Description: ACB is a steelmaking company, part of the Arcelor Group, using advanced technology and a qualified work force. As a means to obtain maximum quality in products and services with minimum hazards to workers and minimum environmental impact, ACB decided to combine and integrate three management systems in its daily activities.
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Jury verdict: The jury recognised in particular that this company has, unlike most competitors, both ISO 14001 certification and EMAS registration. The company demonstrates achievements and further plans within their environmental management statement. The company has adopted particularly innovative measures such as the installation of monitoring surveillance systems with a particular focus on gathering environmental pollution information. The company is strongly committed to the local environment and has provided environmental awareness and training for employees.
Contact: Inaki López Biain: [email protected] URL: www.arcelor.com
Company: Sotral S.p.A. - ITALY Project title: Management for Eco-efficiency in Public Catering
Description: Sotral S.p.A. is a company specialized in logistic and environmental services applied to public catering. To develop, Sotral uses an approach that combines science, engineering and communication skills with a management model marked by “Life Cycle Thinking”.
Jury verdict: The jury particularly appreciated that this SME, employing 18 persons, has introduced an environmental approach in the sector of catering logistics services. The company has improved transport and waste-management by the caterers and raised environmental awareness concerning the products and meals. The environmental dedication of the company is certified by ISO 14001 and furthermore it has the social responsibility certification SA 8000. The company uses innovative environmental performance indicators (e.g. amount per kg meal transported) to optimize its processes (methane fuelled vehicles, waste minimization, energy savings). As a result, the company has achieved excellent financial results, excellent environmental performance and established itself as a good corporate citizen.
Contact: Isabelle Lacourt: [email protected] URL: www.sotral.it
Company: GE Hungary Ltd Light Source Factory Nagykanizsa – HUNGARY Project title: In the forefront of the world market with environmental awareness company management system
Description: Programmes such as ECOMAGINATION is GE Hungary’s commitment towards the environment. It enables the company not to endanger its close environment and the proactive environmental awareness ensures that the plant lives in unity with its environment in the long run.
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Jury verdict: The jury acknowledges that this multi-national company has introduced and implemented for the last 15 years an exemplary environmental performance at its Hungarian plant. General Electric Hungary Ltd. is a light-source factory and a member of the GE-consumer and industrial business group, employing 4200 persons. The site is certified under ISO 14001 and has published an environmental statement. The company demonstrates, with a long list of environmental projects and investments in environmental protection, its sustainability, setting goals and objectives and achieving big improvements of its performance indicators. GE Light Hungary is heavily investing in environmental, health and safety issues, local employee health plans and noise-reduction programmes for the neighbours.
Contact: Ildikó Felde: [email protected] URL: www.gelighting.com/na
Category 2: Product Award Rewarding companies for the development of a new product or service that makes an outstanding contribution to sustainable development
Company: VA Tech Hydro GmbH & Co – AUSTRIA Project title: HYDROMATRIX® Power Plant Nußdorf
Description: HYDROMATRIX® is an innovative and environment-friendly concept for renewable hydropower generation. Existing weirs and dams are used for this concept to generate electricity by using previously unknown and untapped hydropower potentials.
Jury verdict: The jury especially recognised the fact that this renewable energy installation uses tailor-made hydro turbine/generators that can be installed in existing weirs and dams and does not require any alteration in the environment or landscape. The existing infrastructure can be used and there is a huge potential to isolated communities. There is a potential of some thousand applications worldwide.
Contact: Harald Schmidt: [email protected] URL: www.vatech-hydro.at
Company: Windsave Ltd – UNITED KINGDOM Project title: Windsave Plug’n’Save wind turbine
Description: The System is the first worldwide low-cost product which delivers electricity directly into the ring main of homes, offices etc. merely by plugging the supply
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into the wall socket. The System uses wind speed to create ‘green’ electricity via the Plug'n'Save™ box, the unique invention which allows reducing the consumption and cost of electricity from the Grid and displaces CO2 emissions from fossil-fuel generation.
Jury verdict: The jury appreciates the compact integrated solution and relationship with other technologies. These windmills are manufactured from recycled materials with a long life cycle and are designed for individual houses and offices. The excess of electricity generated can be fed into the electricity grid. There is a high potential for decentralised small scale applications. In contradiction to the general development, which goes more and more into large windmills – with more and more resistance - these windmills are affordable and have a noise level below ambient levels.
Contact: Graham Reed: [email protected] URL: www.windsave.com
Company: DTS OABE SL - SPAIN Project title: Nupilac hidro, water based, lacquer applied insecticide
Description: DTS OABE has developed an environmentally friendly insecticide lacquer for use in urban pest control that is free of organic solvents, and safe for both users and individuals coming into contact with it after application. The product is currently sold on domestic markets and an international marketing plan is foreseen.
Jury verdict: The jury recognises the innovative aspect of this insecticide applied in a lacquer, which limits any cross-pollution, is not damaging to human health, requires five times less insecticide, with no emissions of VOC’s and with long-term efficiency. There is a vast replication potential in particular in low toxicity environments like schools, hospitals and catering establishments.
Contact: Tomás Fernandez Mentxaka: [email protected] URL: www.dts-oabe.com
Category 3: Process Award Rewarding companies for the development and application of a new production technology that makes an outstanding contribution to sustainable development.
Company: Fortum Power and Heat Oy – FINLAND Project title: Cleaner air through advanced burner design for large combustion plants
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Description: Nitrogen oxides (NOx) are a significant air pollutant. By optimizing the design of the burner in the power plant, Fortum has developed a cost efficient combustion technology for NOx reduction in large combustion plants.
Jury verdict: The jury emphasized that the process contributes directly to the alleviation of climate change. This (and similar) technologies can be used widely in facilities burning solid fuel (coal) in the EU and in other parts of the world. The jury acknowledged that the abatement of NOx emission as end-of-pipe technology is expensive and that this project by preventing the generation of NOx delivers a cost effective process at source.
Contact: Marja Englund: [email protected] Petra Lundström: [email protected] URL: www.fortum.com
Company: Volkswagen AG - GERMANY Project title: The Volkswagen-SiCon process for recycling shredder residues
Description: In cooperation with SiCon GmbH, Volkswagen has developed a mechanical process for separating shredder residues from disposing end-of-life vehicles into fractions that can substitute primary raw materials in industrial processes on a commercial scale.
Jury verdict: The jury emphasised the aspect that the company is focusing on the most difficult waste section, i.e. not on the 80 per cent recyclable parts of vehicles (mainly steel), but the remaining 20 per cent waste - shredder residues which are an environmental problem so far. Volkswagen introduces a process that turns waste into resources in one of the most challenging environmental areas. The process introduced has a significant impact on environmental waste flows. The jury emphasised that the process is solving a well-known problem prior to the entry into force of EU regulations in this field and that the process is driven by market demand.
Contact: Daniel Goldmann: [email protected] URL: www.volkswagen.de
Company: Ten Cate Advanced Textiles BV and Color Wings BV – THE NETHERLANDS Project title: Digital Liquid jet for textile printing, coating and finishing
Description: The two companies have developed a technological process using digitally operated jet heads for printing in the textile industry. The system uses exactly dosed drops applied at high speed. There is thus no spillage or environmental pollution and the technology is effective and cost saving.
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Jury verdict: The jury emphasised the competitive advantage of the use of exactly dosed drops applied at a high speed which is comparable to traditional technology. Digital printing, coating and finishing improves environmental and economical performance in the end product quality. The process offers substantial reduction in used inputs (water, energy and chemicals) and waste production. The jury emphasised that this is an example of how new technology implemented in a specific sector contributes to its competitiveness.
Contact: Jan Craamer, Ten Cate: [email protected] Monique Molenaar, Color Wings: [email protected] URL: www.tencate.com / www.colorwings.nl
Category 4: International Co-operation Award Rewarding companies for the sharing of knowledge and technology in international cross- sector partnerships which contribute to sustainable growth in developing countries.
Company: iD-L inspired innovations – THE NETHERLANDS Project title: RagBag®
Description: Ragbag® is a new brand for fashionable products made from recycled plastic bags by deprived people – rag-pickers - in the slums of Delhi. Ragbag products are designed by young European and Indian designers. The project is an international co-operation of Conserve, a Delhi based NGO and iD-L inspired innovations, an Amsterdam based design consultancy.
Jury verdict: The jury particularly appreciated the development of a business model that is successful and not an aid-programme as it enables new business development with some help from outside. The objective is clear and results in an attractive product manufactured from waste. The project leads to job creation in India and Europe and to benefits for all stakeholders. It has wide application to other products in other parts of the world. The project is launched by a small company based on personal involvement.
Contact: Siem Haffmans: [email protected] URL: www.id-l.nl
Company: YIT Rakennus Oy - FINLAND Project title: South-West Wastewater Treatment Plant in St. Petersburg, Russia
Description: The City of St Petersburg is the largest single point-source polluter of the Baltic Sea, and St Petersburg’s South-West Wastewater Treatment Plant (SWTP Plant)
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treats the wastewater of 700.000 people. It is a project realized by the consortium YIT, NCC and Skanska and the SWTP Plant, inaugurated in September 2005, is the most significant environmental investment in recent years in the area of the Baltic Sea. Rakennus Oy was part of the consortium which developed and constructed the plant.
Jury verdict: The jury recognises the clear objectives: the process has lead to reduced pollution in the Baltic Sea. The initiative has lead to a project completed almost on time and below budget and has provided employment and on the job training for the first public-private-partnership (PPP) in Russia. This is a project with major impact for the Baltic Sea and is an excellent example of the application of the PPP principle for project development.
Contact: Matti Rantala: [email protected] URL: www.yit.fi
Company: BASF AG - GERMANY Project title: Public Private Partnership between UNIDO, UNEP and BASF: Knowledge transfer in the field of eco-efficient production
Description: BASF has developed a method and a computer tool for the analysis of eco- efficiency in products and processes. The software tool is on the European market and is now made available for developing and emerging countries together with a transfer of knowledge on how to handle and apply the tool. The acquired skills are able to promote and accelerate the transition to a sustainable development in developing and emerging countries.
Jury verdict: The jury appreciates the initiative of the company in applying a developed management tool in developing and emerging countries. This partnership between BASF, UNIDO and UNEP provides tools, training and staff to the textile industry in Morocco. The project raises awareness to improve the ecological performance in particular with regard to strategic decision making. The project has a replication potential in China, Egypt and Brazil.
Contact: Brigitte Dittrich-Krämer: [email protected] URL: www.basf.com
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3. The 2006 awards cycle
Companies from 23 European countries1 were engaged in the 2006 edition of the European Business Awards for the Environment and a total of 139 entries were submitted for competition at the European level. This is the highest number of entries submitted in the 19 years’ history of the European Business Awards for the Environment and is an indication of businesses’ growing interest in taking care of the environment.
A high-level European jury carefully scrutinized and evaluated the submitted entries and selected 12 nominees (3 in each category) during a two-day jury meeting chaired by Heinz Felsner, CEO of KPI Consult (CH) and one of the founding fathers of the Austrian Business Council for Sustainable Development. The jury meeting took place on 20 – 21 February 2006 in Austria, the country holding the 2006 spring EU presidency, and was hosted by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management in Vienna.
The 12 short-listed nominees were announced at a press conference in Vienna by Jury President Heinz Felsner and members of the jury.
In the press release issued on 23 February by the European Commission, Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas stated:
"Today the European Business Awards for the Environment are more relevant than ever. Europe needs companies that invest in environment-friendly innovation. They do not only contribute to winning the battle against climate change and protecting our biodiversity, but they also help make Europe more competitive. It is a simple win-win situation. My congratulations to the 12 finalists - they have made sustainable business models a reality and displayed extraordinary ingenuity"
The full length press release is enclosed as an annex to the press dossier.
The 2006 Jury
The 2006 European Business Awards Jury consists of 12 representatives from across the sectors of industry, NGOs, academia and public authorities. All jury members have environmental matters as their field of expertise:
President of the Jury, Heinz Felsner, CEO of KPI Consult GmbH. Management Consulting, Switzerland
Stanislava Dimitrova, USFCS Coordinator and EcoLinks Programme Manager for the U.S. Commercial Service (USFCS), U.S. Embassy Sofia, Bulgaria
1 The 23 countries which submitted entries for the 2006 awards cycle, counts Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey and United Kingdom.
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Roman Vyhnánek, Senior expert and Head of the Adaptability team of the European Social Fund technical assistance section of the National Training Fund, Czech Republic
Hannu Penttilä, Executive Director of Helsinki Metropolitan Area Council, Finland
Bruno Détanger, President of Fenarive (Fédération Nationale des Associations de Riverains et Utilisateurs Industriels de l'Eau), France
Rolf Wurch, Head of Central Technique Industry affairs at BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH Zentrale Technik Verbandspolitik, Standardisierung und Außenkoordination, Germany
Konstantinos Aravossis, President of the Association of Environmental Protection Companies (PASEPPE), Greece
Gianni Orlandi, Professor in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) at Department of Information and Communication Sciences and Techniques (INFOCOM) within the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Rome La Sapienza, Italy
Theo van Bellegem, former Deputy Head for the Department of Economy and Technology at the Dutch Environment Ministry, Netherlands
Jaime Alejandre, Director General of the Quality and Environmental Evaluation for Spain's Ministry of Environment, Spain
Nilgün Kiran Ciliz, Dr and assistant professor at Bogazici University, Institute of Environmental Sciences. Member of the environmental committee of the Turkish Industrial association TUSIAD, Turkey
John Bowman, Environmental scientist and independent consultant to the UK Government on environmental issues. Fellow of RSA, United Kingdom.
4. The 2006 award ceremony
The winners of the 2006 European Business Awards for the Environment will be announced at the Award Ceremony for Green Week on 1 June 2006 in Brussels. The event is held at the Théâtre Saint-Michel. It presents in addition to the European Business Awards for the Environment, the European Mobility Week Award and the Green Week School Competition.
The 2006 award statuette is designed and created by the sculptor Gust De Schepper. Originally a photographer, he has been following sculpture classes at the “Gemeentelijke Academie voor Beeldende Kunst” (Municipal Academy for Fine Arts), Hamme and the “Academie voor Beeldende Kunsten” (Academy for Fine Arts) in Anderlecht since 1991. He was awarded first prize by the public and first prize by the jury of ‘Choosing for Art” in St. Niklaas,
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April 2000. In July 2002, he participated in the exhibition of Loods 13 on the inland waterways of Gent. Fascinated by the raw shapes of roots, branches and wreckage, he transforms these primal subjects into a mythic universe of fantastic animals in iron, bronze, brass, lead and other materials. Gust De Schepper created the spiral-shaped award statuette for the 2004 European Environmental Awards.
As in 2004, the award ceremony coincides with Green Week 2006 running from 30 May – 2 June 2006. As in previous years, Green Week is hosted in the European Commissions’ Charlemagne building located in Brussels’ European quarter. The four day event comprises discussions, workshops, an exhibition and the award ceremony. This year’s theme is biodiversity and more than 4000 visitors are expected.
More information on Green Week is available at: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/greenweek
The press release on Green Week issued on 24 May 2006 is available at the following web link: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/06/680&format=HTML&aged =0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en
5. Background
The award competition today known as the European Business Awards for the Environment was launched in 1987 under the name European Better Environment Awards for Industry (EBEAFI) to stimulate technological developments which would contribute to a sustainable society. The scheme was launched on the occasion of the European Year of the Environment.
The first award ceremony took place in Brussels the following year and was held yearly until 1990. Hereafter, the scheme was changed to biennial cycles; the fourth round of the European Better Environment Awards for Industry taking place in 1992 in Seville, Spain.
In 2000, the scheme was renamed to the European Awards for the Environment. On this occasion, the award categories were reworked and reduced to the four still constituting the scheme today.
In 2004, the scheme was once again renamed. The word “business” was added to emphasise the intention of giving well-deserved recognition to companies that integrate and promote sustainable and environmentally friendly development via their activities and practices.
Likewise in 2004, the European Business Awards for the Environment awards ceremony was for the first time organised as part of Green Week, the European Commission’s major annual environmental conference and exhibition event in Brussels. More information on Green Week is available at http://ec.europa.eu/environment/greenweek.
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Award categories
The European Business Awards for the Environment are awarded in the following 4 categories:
Management Award: Rewarding companies for strategic visions and management systems which enable them to continuously improve their contribution to sustainable development.
The environmental, economic and social aspects of sustainability must be clearly integrated into the overall mission and all the policies of the organisation. There must be clear objectives to reduce the environmental impacts of the organisation’s activities, together with targets and indicators for monitoring and reporting performance. The organisation must also have mechanisms in place for addressing issues of wider corporate social responsibility, such as community involvement, employee rights and supply chain impacts.
All management systems must be driven by the principle of stakeholder accountability with evidence of regular and systematic dialogue at key points in the process. Moreover, a commitment to the certification of management systems under recognised standards (EMAS, ISO 14001) is required. In all these regards, the organisation must show that it leads the field and is setting an example that others will be inspired to follow.
Product Award: Rewarding companies for the development of a new product or service that makes an outstanding contribution to sustainable development
The product or service may be a new or modified design, or the innovative application of an existing one in a way that promotes more sustainable patterns of production and consumption. The product or service must meet the needs of consumers and improve quality of life while minimising the use of natural resources and toxic materials, as well as emissions of waste and pollutants over the life-cycle (e.g. during material extraction, manufacture, distribution, use and disposal). The product or service must be economically viable and its production and consumption should contribute to equitable social progress.
To be considered for this award, the product or service should represent the ‘leading edge’ of sustainable product and service development, setting an example that others will be inspired to follow. Where applicable, it is preferable that the product has been awarded an EU eco-label or equivalent product certification.
Process Award: Rewarding companies for the development and application of a new production technology that makes an outstanding contribution to sustainable development.
This may involve an entirely new process or technique, or the innovative application of an existing one. In either case, the technology should make a positive contribution to the environmental aspect of sustainability while making at least a neutral, and preferably a positive, contribution to economic and social aspects. The technology may be expected to
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increase resource efficiency and reduce life-cycle environmental impacts by reducing material and energy intensity, switching from non-renewable to renewable resources, avoiding the use of harmful substances and by reducing emissions and waste.
To be considered for this award, the process should represent a significant advance on what is considered to be ‘best available technology or techniques’ under the current EU regulatory framework.
International Co-operation Award: Rewarding companies for the sharing of knowledge and technology in international cross- sector partnerships which contribute to sustainable growth in developing countries.
The partnership must be an alliance based upon the principles of equity, transparency and mutual benefit, which makes a significant contribution to the three elements of sustainable development; environmental protection, economic development and social equity.
The partnership should be effectively planned and adequately resourced to achieve its stated objectives. These might include knowledge or technology transfer; improving product or service delivery; community development; or improving working conditions.
The award is for a successful demonstration of the key role to be played by international cross-sector partnerships in the achievement of global sustainable development.
6. Recent Winners and Award Ceremonies
The European Business Awards for the Environment were launched in 1987 under the name European Better Environment Awards for Industry. Since 1990, the awards have been awarded every two years by the European Commission’s Directorate General for Environment at a prestigious award ceremony. Information on the most recent winners and ceremonies (2002 and 2004) is presented below.
More information on the 2004 and 2002 winning companies is available in the “Winners & Nominees” archive available online at the European Business Awards for the Environment website: http://ec.europa.eu/comm/environment/business_awards. Winners from previous years are likewise listed in the online archive.
2004 A total of 101 entries were submitted for competition in the 2004 cycle of the European Business Awards for the Environment. 15 of the European countries engaged in the award scheme at the time submitted entries2. The 2004 winners in the four categories of the European Business Awards for the Environment were:
2 The 15 were Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom
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Category 1: Management Award Company: DENSO Manufacturing Hungary Ltd - HUNGARY Project title: Diesel injection system
Category 2: Product Award Company: Matussière & Forest - FRANCE Project title: 100% recycled paper
Category 3: Process Award Company: Rugby Ltd – UNITED KINGDOM Project title: Cement Making
Category 4: International Co-operation Company: Nedap N.V. Project title: UV-water cleaning treatment
In 2004, the award ceremony was for the first time organised as part of the European Commission’s Green Week. The Oscar-style event took place in the Théâtre Saint-Michel in Brussels in the evening of 1 June. The ceremony presented and rewarded winners in four European environmental award schemes: the European Business Awards for the Environment, the European Mobility Week Award, the Clean Marine Award and the Green Week Competition for Schools. The then European Commissioner for the Environment, Mrs Margot Wallström and Mr Jan Leyers, a prominent Belgian TV presenter and musician, moderated the event.
An audiovisual library with photos from the 2004 award ceremony is available at: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/greenweek2004/award_en.htm
2002 A total of 100 entries were submitted for competition in the 2002 cycle of the European Awards for the Environment. 18 of the European countries engaged in the award scheme at the time submitted entries3. The 2002 winners in the four categories of the European Business Awards for the Environment were:
Category 1: Management Award Company: COATO Sociedad Cooperativa de Comercialización Agraria - SPAIN Project title: Integral management model for sustainable development in agriculture
Company: ST Microelectronics Malta Ltd. - MALTA Project title: Environmental Decalogue - Measurable targets for environmental neutrality
Company: B & Q – UNITED KINGDOM Project title: B&Q and Social Responsibility
Category 2: Product Award
3 The 18 were Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom
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Company: TTS A/S – DENMARK Project title: Green Light Traffic Signal
Company: Achmea Schadeservice B.V. – The NETHERLANDS Project title: Green car insurance policy
Company: Gea-SOL d.o.o. - SLOVENIA Project title: Solar tile
Category 3: Process Award Company: Integral Umwelt - und Anlagentechnik GmbH - AUSTRIA Project title: atalyst regeneration - an entirely new process
Company: BP – UNITED KINGDOM Project title: ATS - A novel approach to gasoline desulphurisation
Company: Anton Steinecker Maschinefabrik GmbH and Bofferding Brasserie Nationale S.A. LUXEMBOURG Project title: Merlin - New boiling system for the brewing of beer
Category 4: International Co-operation Company: Fraunhofer Institute for Wood Research and Wilhelm-Klauditz Institut - GERMANY Project title: Utilisation of residues from oil palm cultivation to produce fibreboards in Malaysia
The award ceremony took place on 3 October 2002 in the National Gallery of the Buda Castle in Budapest, Hungary. The event was hosted in Hungary in order to increase the EU accession countries' involvement in the European award scheme. The then European Commissioner for the Environment Mrs. Margot Wallström attended the ceremony and emphasised in her opening speech the importance of that year’s awards: ”This year’s awards are particularly important because for the first time a number of candidate countries have participated. It is, therefore, fitting that we are here holding this ceremony in Budapest”.
7. National Coordinators
Austria Belgium Mag. Armin Pecher Mrs Birgit Fremault Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Federation of Belgian Enterprises (FEB) – (BVO) Environment and Water Management Rue Ravenstein straat 4 Division VI/5 1000 Brussels Stubenbastei 5 Phone: +32 2 515 08 51 Fax: +32 2 515 08 32 1010 Vienna [email protected] Phone: + 43 1 51 522 16 46 www.milieuprijs.be (Dutch) [email protected] www.prixenvironnement.be (French) www.lebensministerium.at/umwelt www.vbo.be www.feb.be
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Bulgaria Czech Republic Ms Svetla Kaisheva Mr Tomas Nejedlo Bulgarian Business Leaders Forum Business Leaders Forum 42 Slavyanska Str. Stepanska 61 Palac Lucerna 116 02 1000 Sofia Praha 1 Phone: +359 2 986 5202 Fax: +359 2 986 5625 Phone: +420 224 216 275 Fax: +420 224 213 [email protected] 957 www.bblf.bg [email protected] www.blf.cz Denmark Estonia Mr Kristian Smestad Mrs Ingrid Tamm Ingeniørforeningen i Danmark (IDA) Ministry of the Environment Kalvebod Brygge 31-33 Narva mnt 7a-424 DK 1780 Copenhagen V 10117 Tallinn Phone: +45 33 18 48 48 Fax: +45 33 18 48 87 Phone: +372 62 62 982 [email protected] [email protected] www.ida.dk www.envir.ee
Finland France Mr Jukka Noponen Mr Jean-Paul Ventère SITRA - Finnish National Fund for Research and Ministère de l’écologie et du développement Development durable. Délégation au développement durable Itämerentori 2, P.O. Box 160, 20, avenue de Ségur 00181 Helsinki 75302 Paris 07 SP Phone: +358 400 108 607 Fax: +358 9 6189 Phone: +33 1 42 19 25 06 9288 [email protected] [email protected] www.ecologie.gouv.fr www.sitra.fi
Germany Greece Mr Franz-Josef von Kempis Ms Athena Bourka Bundesverband der Deutschen Industrie e.v PASEPPE - Hellenic Associaton of Environment Abteilung Umweltpolitik Protection Enterprises Breite Strasse 29 4 Marni Str., 10178 Berlin 104 33 Athens Phone: +49 30 20 28 15 09 Fax: +49 30 20 28 Phone: +30 210 29 18 488 Fax: +30 210 82 15 09 320 45 [email protected] [email protected] www.bdi-online.de www.paseppe.gr
Hungary Ireland Mrs Ágnes Czibók Mr David Manning Association of Environmental Enterprises IBEC – Irish Business and Employers (KSZGYSZ) Confederation Hegedûs Gy. U. 68 Confederation House, 84/86 H-1133 Budapest Lower Baggot Street - 2 Dublin Phone: +36 1 350 72 71 Fax: +36 1 350 72 74 Phone: + 353 1 605 16 89 Fax: + 353 1 638 [email protected] 16 89 www.kawe.hu [email protected] www.ibec.ie
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Italy Latvia Mr. Guiseppe Tripaldi Mr Janis Plavinskis Ambiente e Territorio, Agenzia Speciale della Ms Liene Bigaca Camera di Commercio di Roma Latvian Pollution Prevention Center (LPPC) Via dell'Umitta 48 Bruninieku iela 27-40 00 187 Roma 1001 Riga Phone: +39 066976901 Fax: +39 066783362 Phone: +371 7204118 Fax : +3717221865 [email protected] [email protected] www.premioimpresambiente.it [email protected] www.lppc.lv Lithuania Luxembourg Mr Andrius Nikitinas Mr René Winkin LPK Economics and Finance Department Fédération des Industriels Luxembourgeois A. Vienuolio 8 (FEDIL) 01104 Vilnius P.O. Box 1304 Phone: +370 5 212 61 30 Fax : +370 5 212 52 1013 Luxembourg 09 Phone: +352 43 53 661 Fax: +352 43 2328 [email protected] [email protected] www.lpk.lt www.fedil.lu www.iea.lt
Malta Netherlands Mr Anton Pizzuto Mr Akshay Patki Cleaner Technology Centre - University Campus Ministerie van VROM - DG Milieu University Campus, Directie Strategie en Bestuur MSD06 Msida Afdeling Economie en Technologie Phone: +356 21 31 34 16 Fax: +356 21 34 09 8, Rijnstraat - P.O. Box 30945 79 2500 GX The Hague [email protected] Phone: +31 70 339 4746 Fax: +31 70 339 1302 [email protected] www.vrom.nl
Poland Portugal Mr Rafal Serafin Ms Isabel Lico Polish Environmental Partnership Foundation Instituto do Ambiente, Ministerio das Cidades, 6/6 Bracka Street Ordenamento do territorio e Ambiente 31-005 Krakow Rua da Murgueira, 9/9a – Zambujal Ap. 7585 I Phone: +48 12 422 50 88 fax: +48 12 429 4725 2611-865 Amadora [email protected] Phone: +351 21 472 82 87 Fax: +351 21 471 www.epce.org.pl 90 74 [email protected]
Romania Slovakia Mr Laszlo Potozky Mr Andrej Soltes Romanian Environmental Partnership Foundation ASPEK - Association of Industrial Ecology in Fundatia pentru, Partenariat, Miercurea, Ciuc, Slovakia 530151, Str. Harghita nr. 7/A/6 Mlynské Nivy 48 821 05 Bratislava Phone: +40 266 31 06 78 Fax: +40 266 31 06 Phone: +421 2534 11 420 Fax: +421 25823 86 9376 [email protected] [email protected] www.epce.ro/ebaen.htm www.aspek.sk
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Slovenia Spain Mr Peter Novak Ms Cristina Garcia-Orcoyen Energotech, d.o.o Fundación Entorno - BCSD España Pod kostanji 8, C/ Monte Esquinza, 30. Piso 6°, dcha. 1000 Ljubljana 28010 Madrid Phone: +386 14 29 20 30 Fax: +386 14 29 20 Phone: +34 91 57 56 394 Fax: +34 91 57 57 35 713 [email protected] [email protected] www.finance.si www.fundacion-entorno.org
Sweden Turkey Mr Göran Uebel Mr Kerem Okumus NUTEK - Industry Agency The Regional Environmental Center Liljeholmsvägen 32 117 86 Stockholm Country Office Turkey Phone: + 46 8 681 93 75 Fax : +46 8 681 93 65 Ilkbahar Mahallesi 15. Cadde 296. Sokak No: [email protected] 8 06550 Yýldýz Cankaya. Ankara www.nutek.se Phone: 90 312 491 95 30 Fax: +90 312 491 95 40 [email protected] www.rec.org.tr
8. Contacts
European Commission – DG Environment Johanna Lampinen European Coordinator 200, rue de la Loi, office: BU-9 00/200 BE-1049 Brussels - BELGIUM Tel.: +32 2 296 77 56 Fax: +32 2 296 95 60 E-mail: [email protected]
European Business Awards for the Environment Secretariat c/o PRACSIS Tel.: +32 2 340 30 65 Fax: +32 2 345 17 84 Email: [email protected]
http://ec.europa.eu/comm/environment/business_awards
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Annex 1: EC Press release 23-02-2006
Brussels, 23 February 2006
Twelve European companies vying for European Business Awards for the Environment
Twelve European companies were nominated yesterday in Vienna for the European Business Awards for the Environment. The finalists represent companies from Austria, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and the UK. The prizes, awarded by the European Commission every two years, acknowledge companies for outstanding contributions to sustainable development in four categories - products, processes, management and international cooperation projects. The four winners will be selected and receive their awards on 1 June 2006 during Green Week, the Commission's major annual environmental conference and exhibition event in Brussels. Sustainable companies not only protect the environment, they also contribute to innovation and competitiveness, thus spurring economic growth.
"Today the European Business Awards for the Environment are more relevant than ever," said Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas. "Europe needs companies that invest in environment-friendly innovation. They do not only contribute to winning the battle against climate change and protecting our biodiversity, but they also help make Europe more competitive. It is a simple win-win situation. My congratulations to the 12 finalists - they have made sustainable business models a reality and displayed extraordinary ingenuity."
The 12 finalists were chosen from 139 entries from 23 European countries. This is the highest number of entries recorded since the European Awards for the Environment were launched in 1987. This record reflects growing interest of businesses in environmental sustainability.
The jury, chaired by Mr Heinz Felsner, Secretary General of the Austrian Business Council for Sustainable Development, is made up of 12 environmental experts representing industry, NGOs, academia and public authorities. The jury short-listed three candidates for each of the four categories. It will come together again later this year to choose the winners in each category. The winners will be announced and receive their awards during a prestigious award ceremony with senior Commission officials, music and artistic performances on 1 June 2006, which will be part of the Commission's annual Green Week.
The 2006 Business Awards were open to companies from all EU member states as well as the candidate countries Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey. The companies first had to succeed in national award schemes to be nominated by the national award bodies for the European Business Awards. A participating country can send a maximum of 12 candidates for the European Awards, three for each category.
The finalists for the European Business Awards chosen yesterday are:
The Management Award for Sustainable Development (recognising companies managed in ways that allow for a continuous and measurable improvement of their environmental performance)
! Aceria Compacta de Bizkaia SA (Spain). The jury nominated this steel production company because it has managed to implement environmental management measures and remain competitive in its market. ! Sotral SpA (Italy). The jury recognised the successful introduction of an environmental approach in the sector of catering logistic services. ! General Electric Hungary Ltd Light Source Factory (Hungary). The jury acknowledges the sustained exemplary environmental performance in the Hungarian plant of this multi-national.
The Product Award for Sustainable Development (recognising new products or services that contribute to sustainable production and consumption patterns)
! VA Tech Hydro GmbH & Co (Austria). The jury nominated this company for the development of tailor-made hydro turbines that can be installed in existing weirs, locks and dams without altering the environment or landscape. ! Windsave Ltd (UK). The jury appreciated the development of a compact wind mill for individual houses and offices at an affordable cost. ! DTS OABE SL (Spain). The jury recognises the development of a water-based insecticide applied in a lacquer, which limits any cross pollution and which is not damaging to human health.
The Process Award for Sustainable Development (recognising new environment-friendly production technologies and processes)
! Fortum Power and Heat Oy (Finland). The jury nominated this company for the development of a cost efficient combustion technology for NOx reduction in large combustion plants throughout the entire process rather then only through an end-of pipe solution. 19
! Volkswagen AG (Germany). The jury emphasised that the company focussed in this waste recycling process on the most difficult waste section, i.e. not on the 80% vehicle parts that are recyclable (mainly steel), but the remaining 20% waste - shredder residues which have so far been an environmental problem. ! Ten Cate Advanced Textiles BV and Color Wings BV (Netherlands). The jury emphasised the competitive advantage of the use of exactly dosed ink drops applied at a high speed which is comparable to traditional colouring technology for textiles.
The International Co-operation Award for Sustainable Development (recognising international partnerships that contribute to environmental protection, economic development and social equity in a developing country or an economy in transition)
! iD-L inspired innovations (Netherlands). The jury particularly appreciated the development of a successful business model for the production and marketing of attractive products manufactured from waste. ! YIT Rakennus Oy (Finland). The jury has nominated this waste water treatment project in St Petersburg which has reduced pollution in Baltic Sea. The project provided employment and on the job training for the first public-private-partnership (PPP) in Russia. ! BASF AG (Germany). The jury appreciates the initiative of the company to transfer knowledge about a developed management tool for improving ecological performance and strategic decision-making to developing countries and countries with an economy in transition.
Background:
The European Commission launched the Business Awards for the Environment in 1987, recognising achievements of companies who pioneered environmentally friendly policies and products. The Business awards recognise and promote, as an example to others, organisations which make an outstanding contribution to sustainable development. The prizes are awarded every two years.
The EU Strategy for Growth and Jobs recognises the potential of eco-innovation to promote economic growth and job creation. Launching it in March 2005 in Brussels, EU leaders stated: "Eco-innovation and environmental technology should be strongly encouraged (…). In addition to its growth in the internal market, this sector has considerable export potential."1 The emphasis on eco-innovation is reflected in the 'Broad guidelines for the economic policies of the Member States and the Community (2005 to 2008)', adopted by the Council, and the Commission's 'Lisbon Programme', both of which list priority actions to revive Europe's economy. 1
Many findings show that environment policy and eco-innovation can promote economic growth and create jobs, contributing to competitiveness and employment. There is an expanding world market for environmental goods and services, estimated at over €500 billion in 2003. The EU eco-industries sector employs more than 2 million people, and continues to grow at around 5% per year. Last year, exports grew by around 8% and there was a trade surplus of over € 600 million. There are increasing market opportunities for eco-efficient products and services.
Many studies come to the conclusion that environmental sustainability improves the financial performance of companies. The '2006 Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations' outperformed the MSCI World Index by 7.11% over the period December 1999 to December 2005. This is a listing, released at the World Economic Forum in Davos in January 2006, of 100 large blue chip companies around the world that demonstrated the strongest sustainability performance among a group of over 1800 companies in 2006.1
Green Week is the largest annual international forum for discussing current and future European Union environmental policies. Close to 4000 people participate each year in the week-long programme of conferences, exhibition and awards ceremony.
Further information about the European Business Awards for the Environment is available at: http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/business_awards
Information about Green Week is available at: http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/greenweek/index.html
Contacts : Barbara Helfferich +32 2 298 2010 Lone Mikkelsen +32 2 296 0567
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