Environmental management
Infographic - Environmental performance
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Many of the GSC's activities have some impact on the environment. The GSC works to reduce this impact and protect the environment, through high quality environmental management.
The environmental management programme applies to all GSC activities which take place in the buildings it occupies in Brussels. These buildings are covered by an environmental permit issued by the environment administration in the Brussels region.
In February 2015, environmental management in the Lex and crèche buildings earned the ecodynamic enterprise label, awarded by the Brussels region. In 2016, the three buildings (Justus Lipsius, Lex and crèche) were registered under the European eco-management and audit scheme (EMAS).
GSC environmental programme
The GSC has established a comprehensive and evolving environmental programme, based on the environmental policy adopted by the Secretary-General in June 2013 and last updated in 2019.
The main goals of this environmental programme include:
- cutting primary energy consumption through renewable energy production and efficient energy use
- ensuring efficient use of water and preventing water pollution
- waste prevention and reduction, re-use of materials and promoting recycling
- reducing greenhouse gas emissions
- reducing paper consumption and using recycled and eco-friendly paper
The GSC also promotes environmentally-friendly mobility among employees and visitors and incorporates environmental criteria into public procurement procedures.
The GSC's environmental management system allows to measure and monitor the impact of its activities, with a view to constant improvement. Independent internal and external auditors periodically verify the progress of implementation of the environmental programme and compliance with existing regulations and EMAS requirements.
