Rome, 19 September– The
shortlist for the 2014 European Business Awards for the Environment
(EBAE) has been revealed, following a two-day jury meeting in Rome,
Italy. The 17 finalists come from 10 countries. The winners will be
announced at a ceremony in Lyon on 1st December 2014 at the Pollutec
exhibition of environmental technologies in Lyon, France. The European
Business Awards for the Environment are awarded to eco-innovation
companies that successfully combine innovation, competitiveness and outstanding environmental performance.
European Commissioner for the Environment Janez Potočnik said: "The
companies shortlisted for the European Business Awards for the
Environment have a proven track record in combining business success and
respect for the environment. They showcase real-world experience of the
fruits of eco-innovation.”
The finalists were selected from
152 submissions, originating from 22 European Member States and
candidate countries. The applicants represent the increasing
environmental commitment of European businesses and their willingness to
adopt eco-innovative practices, despite the current economic climate.
This year’s entries come from a
number of fields, including healthcare, financial services, and the food
and drink and automotive sectors. The highest number of entries was in
the product and services category.
The award submissions showcased
the companies’ contribution to resource efficiency in five categories:
product and services with 50 entries; process with 49 entries;
management with 38 entries; international business cooperation with 15
entries; and business and biodiversity with 33 entries.
The high-level jury, chaired by
Professor Marco Frey, was composed of 24 experts from European and
national authorities, academia, businesses and the green technology
sector.
Background
The European
Business Awards for the Environment were established in 1987 by the
European Commission’s Directorate-General for the Environment. They are
presented every two years with the aim of recognising and rewarding
European companies that stimulate economic growth by contributing to
innovation and competitiveness, while also protecting the environment.
The scheme
consists of five awards, rewarding businesses for management practices,
eco-friendly products and services, sustainable processes, international
business cooperation and – most recently – activities which protect
biodiversity.
The competition is open to any company, irrespective of size, from an EU Member State or a candidate country. The submission of entries to the European awards competition is managed by national coordinating bodies. Applicants must first enter one of the national award schemes and be chosen to compete at the European level. This
ensures that companies awarded the European prize are 'the best of the
best': the most far-sighted, responsible and innovative across Europe.
The shortlisted entries per category are as follows:...
The Management Award
For outstanding strategic vision and
management systems that enable continuous improvements in contributions
to sustainable development.
-
WerroWool – Micro – Estonia
Project Title: WerroWool Cellulose Fibre
-
University College Cork – Major Corporation – Ireland
Project Title: The Green Campus Programme
-
Eczacibasi Yapi Gerecleri – Major Corporation – Turkey
Project Title: Blue Life Integrated Sustainability Management System
-
The Bay – SME – United Kingdom
Project Title: The Bay Fish & Chips, Stonehaven
The Product and Services Award
For companies that have developed a
new product or related service that makes an outstanding contribution to
sustainable development.
-
EcoNation – SME – Belgium
Project Title: Lighten the Nation
-
PerfoTecBV – SME – Netherlands
Project Title: PerfoTec
-
Vegware – SME – United Kingdom
Project Title: Vegeware
The Process Award
For companies that have
developed and applied a new production technology that makes an
outstanding contribution to sustainable development.
-
Daimler AG – Major Corporation – Germany
Project Title: CO2 reduction and lightweight construction for combustion engines
-
Paul Wurth SA – Major Corporation – Luxembourg
Project Title: Dry Slag Granulation with Energy Recovery
-
OCI Nitrogen – Major Corporation – Netherlands
Project Title: COOL
The International Business Cooperation Award
For companies that actively promote
the sharing of knowledge and technology in international cross-sector
partnerships, which contribute to sustainable growth in developing
countries.
-
Umicore NV/SA – Major Corporation – Belgium
Project Title: WorldLoop & Umicore: Closing the e-Waste Loop
-
AusDesign OU – Micro – Estonia
Project Title: UpShirt
-
Interface Netherland BV – Major Corporation – Netherlands
Project Title: Net-Works
-
Techreturns – SME – Netherlands
Project Title: Closing the Loop
The Business and Biodiversity Award
A category
for companies that have demonstrated outstanding achievements in
halting biodiversity loss and supporting natural ecosystems.
-
Andromede Oceanologie – Micro – France
Project Title: Donia
-
SM2 Solutions Marine – Micro – France
Project Title: "Graines de Mer " / " Sea Seeds"
-
Red Electrica de Espana S.A.U. (REE)- Major Corporation - Spain
Project Title: Birds and electricity transmission lines: mapping of flight paths
