News
December, 2021
The EU Commission published the Recommendation 2021/9332 on the utilisation of PEF and OEF and the reporting requirements of the Member States
February, 2020
Short demonstrating films are available about the PEF and PEFCR here.
July, 2019
The long list of questions and answers concerning the involved sectors, product and organisations footprint and category rules is available here.
February, 2019
The FAQ for PEF are available here.
November, 2018
Targeted PEF consultations are available for businesses and business associations, public administrators, investors, NGOs, here
For the results of the open consultation in circular economy you can send a message to Mr. Ruben Dekker at ruben.dekker@ec.europa.eu
September, 2018
A call for experts in PEF was initiated by the Commission . The call is available here.
April , 2018
The final conference of the environmental footprint final phase was hold in Brussels. The agenda is available here.
September, 2017
The Commission launched a study to understand the role of environmental labels. The study is available here.
October, 2016
The 2013-2016 PEF testing period for the 11 food groups was closed in September. Meat and wine products received the largest experts contribution , pasta and pet feed received the smalest contribution. As the only Hungarian contributor SOLTUB Ltd. contributed to four food PEFs as meat, feed, dairy products and wine.
The FP7 REGIONS project SCOT ( Smart CO2 Transformation) has the main objective to define a Strategic European Research and Innovation Agenda for Europe in the field of CO2 utilisation in both chemical and biological transformation covering three primary areas: chemical building blocks, synthetic fuels and mineralisation. CO2 is treated as a resource and not a waste or an emission. During the final conference in June 2016 It was mentioned that using green energy to transform CO2 into polymers could facilitate the development of new business models and that using CO2 as feedstock for chemical products would be a mjor step in creation of a real circular economy. Further details are available at http://scotproject.org.
The Commission presented on the 20th of July the communication on Accelerating Europe's transition to a low - carbon economy - Communication accompanying measures under the Energy Union Framework Strategy: as legislative proposal on binding annual greenhouse gas emissions reductions by Member States from 2021 to 2030, legislative proposal on the inclusion of greenhouse gas emissions and removals from land use, land use change and forestry into the 2030 climate and energy framework and communication on a European Strategy for low emission mobility.
Further reading available at http://ec.europa.eu/clima/news/articles/news_2016072001_en.htm
March, 2016
The Commission published the guideline of product environmental footprint (PEF) , available at http://ec.europa.eu/environment/eussd/smgp/pdf/Guidance_products.pdf
October, 2015
A mid-term evaluation of the progress made within the pilot phase application of the EU environmental footprint will be available during the conference planed for the 3-4th November in Brussels. Please visit the webpage: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/eussd/smgp/conference_2015_en.htm
June, 2015
The European Commission has launched four new calls under the LIFE sub-programme for climate action which co-funds creative ways to respond to climate change challenges in Member States. Some €57 million is available to co-finance projects dealing with cutting emissions, adapting to climate change or climate governance and information. Further information available at http://ec.europa.eu/clima/news/articles/news_2015060101_en.htm
October, 2014
In October for the selected environmental footprint food pilots the stakeholders have the opportunity to discuss the end of life stages in Brussels. Further information available at http://ec.europa.eu/environment/eussd/smgp/product_footprint.htm.
The ISO 14046:2014 on water footprint was released. The standard deals with the water scarcity, (e.g. using a water scarcity index), water availability and water footprint ( water consumption and waste water), in specific the impact on water eutrophication, acidification and ecotoxicity.
June, 2014
In the second wave of environmental footprint pilots (food products) the following products were selected:
- Beer, proposed by Brewers of Europe
- Coffee, proposed by the European Coffee Federation
- Dairy, proposed by the European Dairy Association
- Feed for food producing animals, proposed by the European Feed Manufacturers' Federation
- Fish for human consumption, proposed by the Norwegian Seafood Federation
- Meat (bovine, pigs and sheep), proposed by the European Livestock and Meat Trades Union
- Pasta, proposed by the Union of Organisations of Manufacturers of Pasta Products in the EU
- Packed water, proposed by the European Federation of Bottled Waters
- Pet food (cats & dogs), proposed by the European Pet Food Industry Federation
- Olive oil, coordinated by CO2 Consulting S.L.
- Wine, proposed by the Comité Européen des Entreprises Vins
For the selected pilots the product category rules (PEFCRs) will be developed. The selection was based on criteria such as the capacity of the proponents to involve a representative percentage of the market, the diversity of product groups and the sectors covered (in terms of type of product or sector, whether products are final or intermediate products, environmental impacts, complexity and dynamics of the value chain, etc.), availability of good quality secondary life cycle data, availability of already existing Product Category Rules (PCR) or similar documents.
Further information are available at http://ec.europa.eu/environment/eussd/smgp/product_footprint.htm
The GHG Protocol for agricultural companies was released (GHG Protocol Agricultural Guidance, Interpreting the Coorporate Accounting and Reporting Standard for the agricultural sector). The guide is available at www.ghgprotocol.org.
January, 2014
An open call was relesed to participate in the green products single market by applying the environmental footprint (EF). For products and services was developed the PEF (Product Environmental Footprint) system and for organisations the OEF (Organisation Environmental Footprint) system. In the food /drink and feed sector is possible that stakeholder to participate in the development of Product Category Rules (PEFCRs).
Applications can be made till the 28th of March, 2014 at http://ec.europa.eu/environment/eussd/smgp/product_footprint.htm.
The objectives of the EF pilot phase are:
- to set up and validate the process of the development of product group-specific rules (Product Environmental Footprint Category Rules – PEFCRs), including the development of performance benchmarks;
- to test different compliance and verification systems, in order to set up and validate proportionate, effective and efficient compliance and verification systems;
- to test different business-to-business and business-to-consumer communication vehicles for Product Environmental Footprint information in collaboration with stakeholders.
The EU system is based on the GHG Protocol (GHG Protocol Product Life Cycle Accounting and Reporting Standard and GHG Protocol Corporate Value Chain ( Scope 3) Accounting and Reporting Standard) taking in consideration other systems and standards as ISO 14044, ISO 14067, ILCD Handbook, Ecological Footprint, BPX 30-323 and PAS 2050:2011.
November, 2013
KÖVET review on sustainability 2013/18, SOLTUB Ltd. article on the carbon footprint Download1, Download2, Download3
April, 2013
The Commission released a Communication on Building the Single Market for Green Products, where the environmental footprint of products, services and organisations is promoted . The environmental footprint will be tested in the next three years. Reference to the applicability is included in Comission recommendation on energy efficiency COM(2011) 571 final.
March, 2013
Measures from Commission
On the 17th of April an international conference will be organised on climate protection.
http://ec.europa.eu/clima/events/0073/index_en.htm
Commission welcomes the Parlament decision on accepting the GHG monitoring and reporting rules, including agriculture and forestry.
http://ec.europa.eu/clima/news/articles/news_2013031201_en.htm
Commission published the Green Book on climate change and energy policies. Comments can be made till the 2nd of July 2013.
http://ec.europa.eu/energy/consultations/20130702_green_paper_2030_en.htm
January, 2013
Governmental climate actions
Hungary supports the realisation of the Europe 2020 strategy in climate policies. Further information on www.klima.kormany.hu .
December, 2012
How far behind Europe?
The British Carbon Trust hold a meeting on the green development of the European economy, searching the question how far is Europe behing the world. Further information on http://www.carbontrust.com/news/2012/12/is-europe-falling-behind-other-world-leaders-in-green-growth
September , 2012
ZIP Magazine , SOLTUB Ltd. article on the carbon footprint Dowload Download1
August , 2012
FIGYELŐ (2012/30) article on the carbon footprint Download
July, 2012
Decarbonisation roadmap 2050
For developing the Hungarian decarbonisation strategy four group of experts are working on the key economic sectors as energy, traffic, agriculture and industry.
May, 2012
Post Kyoto
800 experts oppinion from 76 countries were gathered to define the impact of climate protection measures. The most efficient way to reduce the impact are the economic measures, the utilisation of the GHG taxes are more efficient than the CO2 quota system. Link
March, 2012
The EU launches an open consultation on the organisation environmental footprint (OEF) and the product environmental footprint ( PEF). The consultation can be accessed on the following site:
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/consultations/sustainable.htm
The consultation includes the sustainable production and consumption aspects as well.
February, 2012
Global solution for aviation emission
A two-day conference was organised including countries as the US, China, India, Japan and Russia to discuss how to coordinate their activities opposing aviation's inclusion in the EU's emissions trading scheme (ETS).The aviation industry has consistently called for a global solution to cutting emissions, which account for around three per cent of the global total, more than the UK's entire output, even though the sector adds just 0.7 per cent to global GDP.Connie Hedegaard, the EU's climate action commissioner, said last week that Brussels would be happy to sign up to a global solution if that programme was more ambitious than its own scheme, which it estimates will save around 183 million tonnes of CO2 each year by 2020.
November, 2011
In the future the suppliers will be selected according to their carbon performance
According to a study made in the UK 50% of multinationals look to select their suppliers based upon carbon performance in the future. Therefore 29% of suppliers are likely to lose their places on ‘green supply chains’ if they do not have an adequate performance records on carbon. Conversely, the research finds that 58% of multinationals will in the future pay a premium for low carbon suppliers to reduce their overall corporate carbon footprints.
The supply chain carbon is the next key area to be tackled to enhance efficiency and reputation, and meet compliance:
· 93% of multinationals are addressing their own (direct) carbon emissions now,
· 40% are already addressing the (indirect) carbon emissions of their supply chain now,
· 42% of companies not addressing supply chain emissions, will do so within the next 12 months,
· a further 42% of companies not addressing their supply chain emissions, will do so within the next two - three years
The research also shows the potential rewards for suppliers that can ensure their place on ‘green’ supply chains by meeting the criterion of carbon efficiency held by multinationals. Of those addressing supply chain emissions:
· 66% are willing to pay a premium of around 10% to purchase a product or service with low emissions,
· 65% sell products and services that reduce the carbon footprint of their customers,
· 71% procure key products from suppliers with lower carbon footprints
Source: Carbon Trust,2011
In Australia the carbon tax was voted
The tax will be inntroduced from the 1st of July 2012.
Further information http://www.carbontax.net.au/category/what-is-the-carbon-tax/
October, 2011
The new GHG Protocols was released
The GHG Protocol for products can be downloaded from
http://www.ghgprotocol.org/product-life-cycle-standard
The GHG Protocol for organisations can be downloaded from http://www.ghgprotocol.org/corporate-value-chain-standard oldalról.
A new JRC and PBL study on carbon emission
The report is available on http://edgar.jrc.ec.europa.eu/news_docs/C02%20Mondiaal_%20webdef_19sept.pdf
August, 2011
The PAS 2060 standard for carbon neutrality was released
July 2011.
On the 22th of June the EU Commission published a proposal on energy efficiency COM(2011)370
As it is presented in the general context against a backdrop of rising EU imports of energy at rising prices, access to energy resources will in the medium term play a more important role with the potential to risk seriously compromising EU economic growth. This explains why energy efficiency is one of the main aspects of the Europe 2020 flagship initiative for a resource-efficient Europe. Energy efficiency is the most cost-effective and fastest way to increase security of supply, and is an effective way to reduce the greenhouse gases emissions responsible for climate change. As outlined in the Commission Communication ‘A Roadmap for moving to a competitive low carbon economy in 2050’, energy efficiency can help the EU achieve and even outperform its greenhouse gas emission reduction target.
The proposal also looks beyond the 20 % target and seeks to set a common framework to promote energy efficiency in the Union beyond 2020. The proposal is a strategic priority in the Commission Work Programme for 2011.
LG TVs become the first in Europe to display the Carbon Reduction Label
LG Electronics’ 47LW5500-ZE and 47LW550T-ZE CINEMA 3D TVs have become the first TVs in Europe to carry the Carbon Reduction Label, which certifies the carbon emissions from every stage of their lifecycle, from production, to transportation, preparation, use and disposal. By using the label the company is also committing to make further reductions of emissions from the TVs.
Source: www.carbontrust.co.uk
Nestlé marked another milestone in its commitment to environmental sustainability by achieving zero waste to landfill at its Kit Kat and Aero confectionery factory in the United Kingdom.
This latest accomplishment also backs the Company’s goal to reduce the environmental impact of its 443 factories worldwide. By achieving zero waste, the factory – which makes over a billion of the Kit Kat chocolate wafer bars and 183 million Aero chocolate bars each year – has saved over CHF 160,000 (nearly GBP 120,000) a year.
Nestlé UK announced last week that the triumph at the York-based factory follows its ambitious target set in 2009 to achieve zero total waste by 2015 for all 14 factories in the UK and Ireland.
Source: www.nestle.com
The Economist
In June 2011. The Economist published the article: Following the footprints
Environment: Carbon-footprint labels, which indicate a product’s environmental impact, are quietly spreading. Consumers may not have noticed them yet, but there is a lot going on behind the scenes
DO YOU look for carbon-footprint labels on goods when shopping? If you do, you are in a small minority. The practice of adding labels to foods and other products, showing the quantity (in grams) of carbon-dioxide emissions associated with making and transporting them, began in 2007 when the world’s first such labels were applied to a handful of products sold in Britain. The idea was that carbon labels would let shoppers identify products with the smallest carbon footprints, just as other labels already indicate dolphin-friendly tuna, organic milk or Fairtrade coffee. Producers would compete to reduce the carbon footprints of their products, and consumers would be able to tell whether, for example, locally made goods really were greener than imported ones.
Carbon labels have yet to become as widely recognised by consumers as other eco-labels, however. A survey carried out in 2010 by Which?, a British consumer group, found that just a fifth of British shoppers recognised the carbon footprint label, compared with recognition rates of 82% for Fairtrade and 54% for organic labelling. This is understandable, because carbon labelling is a much more recent development—organic labelling dates back to the 1970s, and Fairtrade to the late 1980s—and the right ways to do it are still being worked out. Adding a carbon label to a product is a complex and often costly process that involves tracing its ingredients back up their respective supply chains and through their manufacturing processes, to work out their associated emissions. According to 3M, an American industrial giant that makes over 55,000 different products, this can cost $30,000 for a single product. To further confuse matters, different carbon footprinting and labelling standards have emerged in different countries, preventing direct comparisons between the various types of label. http://www.economist.com/node/18750670
Conference on carbon reduction technologies, Jura Krakowsko-Czestochowska, Poland,
A conference on carbon reduction technologies will take place from 19 to 22 September 2011 in Jura Krakowsko-Czestochowska, Poland. In recent years, there has been a great deal of research in the field of low carbon energy generation.
For further information, please visit: http://www.itc.polsl.pl/caretech/