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The European Eco-Management and Audit Scheme Performance, credibility, transparency EMAS & LOCAL AUTHORITIES EMAS AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES 186 LA registered in AT, BE, DE, DK, ES, FR, Gr, IT, SW& UK Key player local economy, government closest to citizen
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The European Eco-Management and Audit Scheme Performance, credibility, transparency EMAS & LOCAL AUTHORITIES
EMAS AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES • 186 LA registered in AT, BE, DE, DK, ES, FR, Gr, IT, SW& UK • Key player local economy, government closest to citizen • LA role in showing by example to local actors • Important influence on environmental habits of general public • Green Public Procurement • Impact on companies through municipalities: regulatory relief, funding assistance, technical assistance, etc • EMAS provides structured framework for managing / improving LAs own environmental performance • City wide issues e.g. recycling, land-use planning, etc
EXAMPLE 1 • Upssala county council – Finland • Reason to register EMAS: gain competitive advantage versus neighbouring capital Stockholm • Key feature: 8,000 employees hospital • Province of Parma - Italy • 1st provincial authority in Europe registered EMAS • Most beneficial outcome: increased transparency of activities set by the province. • Power of example: financial incentives by provincial government for companies & agricultural co-operatives to stimulate EMS uptake => Some 30 co-operatives already registered & 15 local authorities on their way.
EXAMPLE 2 • Rushcliffe Borough Council – Nottinghamshire - UK • Reasons: show commitment to environmental improvement beyond legislation requirements • EMAS registration covers: • Waste collection & recycling, highways maintenance, vehicle management, environmental health, property & design, Borough development, leisure services & grounds maintenance. • Actions: • Fuel stretcher boiler control system for all leisure centres • Purchase of electricity through green tariffs • Introduction of a recycling scheme • Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) powered vehicles
EXAMPLE 3 • City of Waidhofen on Ybbs– Austria • EMAS registration covers: • Town hall, primary school, central water supply, building yard and nature park centre • Other departments and schools to be registered in 2006 • Newcastle City Council – The UK • Plans to register all Directorates by 2007 • Tynes vehicle, cyclist and pedestrian tunnel: • Reason: systematic coherent approach to env issues • Key priorities: segregation of waste streams & further recycling • Information campaign to increase environmentally friendly office practices and driving techniques
LEEDS CITY COUNCIL. ENGLAND Largest City council in Europe EMAS registered
OTHER EXAMPLES • International institutions: • European Commission pilot project (5 services registered) • European Environmental Agency • European investment Back under registration process • European Parliament under implementation • National Institutions: • UK Environmental Agency biggest enforcement agency • German, Danish, Austrian Environmental Agencies • Walloon (Belgium) regional Environmental Agency
NETWORKING - SUPPORT • EU COMPASS project: • Networking & mentoring project • Will lead 96 LA to EMAS registration • Award ceremony end 2005 • EMAS peer-review for cities • EU forum for EMAS Registered authorities • National promotion activities • EU, Spanish toolkit for Local Authorities