EUROPE – The German Convention Bureau (GCB) has received European Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) certification after demonstrating its commitment to sustainability and the continuous improvement of its environmental performance.
The scheme has been developed by the European Commission for companies and other organisations within the EU and the European Economic Area to evaluate, report and improve their environmental performance.
“The GCB has engaged in improving sustainability for many years and being awarded EMAS certification is another milestone,” said Matthias Schultze, MD of the GCB. “For the GCB, sustainability is an opportunity for the entire industry, especially for making Germany a sustainable meetings and convention destination.”
To achieve certification, organisations must create, among other things, an environmental statement that records the dates and details of all environmentally relevant activities covering energy consumption, emissions and waste, as well as the indirect environmental aspects, for example in procurement and event management.
After an initial inventory, the environmental assessment is subsequently performed as a recurring audit within the framework of the EMAS process and is judged by independent, nationally accredited environmental auditors.
“Compared to the environmental management standard ISO 14001, the requirements are fully covered by EMAS. EMAS is characterised by a higher level of legal security, consistent environmental performance, high transparency and active employee participation,” said Dr Stefan Müssig, CEO of Würzburg environmental and Quality Management Consulting, who oversaw the EMAS certification of the GCB.
GCB’s promotion of sustainable event management includes education seminars on sustainability in the events industry and a Green Meetings and Events Conference, which takes place on 9 and 10 February 2015 in Cape Europe in Frankfurt. This is organised jointly with the European Association of Event Centres every two years.
Do you have a news story for CMW? Email: Zoe Vernor
