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ECO2F international recognitions

The Decarbonisation Recognition Diplomas or Recognitions from the European CO2 Foundation (ECO2F) recognise the assessed organisation’s determined and effective effort to achieve climate neutrality. To gain them, an organisation needs to have successfully implemented a plan to make its net greenhouse gas emissions balanced and equal to, or less than, those eliminated through the planet’s natural absorption (ECO2 Agreed 2030 recognition), or achieve neutrality (ECO2 Neutral recognition). In addition, they serve to publicise the best practices of the organisations assessed, and to speed up decarbonisation processes in other organisations.

A decarbonization initiative

The recognitions were designed as an initiative to promote decarbonisation by companies and other public and private organisations. To obtain the European ECO2 Agreed 2030 recognition, each year organisations must have demonstrated exceptional reductions in their carbon footprint in line with the standards of the European CO2 Foundation (ECO2F). And, to achieve the European ECO2 Neutral recognition, they must also have offset the CO2 emissions resulting from their activity.

Benefits of the recognitions:

Organisations that have achieved the European ECO2 Agreed 2030 or ECO2 Neutral recognition will obtain the following benefits:

Use of the accreditation recognition in communications to promote the organisation’s image as being committed to decarbonisation and sustainable development, strengthening its CSR.

Publicity for its commitment to decarbonisation by putting the organisation’s name and its logo on the Foundation’s website.

Publicity from ECO2F for its best practices so they can increase the organisation’s prestige and serve as an example to others (in line with the Foundation’s protocol).

Publication of articles related to the organisation and its decarbonisation process on the Foundation’s website (in line with the Foundation’s protocol).

Cooperation mechanisms

Private companies, non-governmental organisations, academic institutions and municipal governments based in Europe can obtain ECO2 Agreed 2030 and ECO2 Neutral recognitions.

As well as the benefits from obtaining the recognition, they will receive the following additional advantages if they are:

Associate member

Organisations accredited as Foundation members will have the right to apply to obtain the recognitions.

As well as the benefits from obtaining the recognition, they will receive the following additional advantages:

  • Being able to apply for the recognitions and the resulting benefits if they obtain them.
  • A prominent presence on the Foundation’s website in the affiliated members’ area.
  • Inclusion of a direct link from the ECO2F website to the participating organisation’s website.
  • Publication of a video on the ECO2F website demonstrating the organisation (in line with the Foundation’s protocol).
  • The chance to nominate members for the Foundation’s technical committees which the organisation considers to be in its area of interest.

Sponsoring organizations

Organisations accredited as being sponsors of the Foundation will have the right to apply to obtain the recognition.

As well as the benefits from obtaining the recognition, they will receive the following additional advantages:

  • The main benefits of affiliated members.
  • Proposing the establishment of a Technical Committee which the organisation considers to be in its area of interest and the possibility of participating in it by appointing the chair and nominating members.
  • Publicising new items in the media.
  • Possibility of participating in recognition ceremonies, conventions or communication and dissemination activities related to decarbonisation or sustainable development organised by the Foundation.

Requirements for obtaining in the recognitions

1

To obtain the European ECO2 Agreed 2030 and ECO2 Neutral Recogntions, it is necessary to have a carbon footprint measurement in accordance with ISO 14064 for scopes 1, 2 and 3. This measurement must be from at least the two years before the application for the award.

2

Having a current, up-to-date emissions reduction plan with a timetable for the actions to be taken and having an emissions reduction targets to achieve climate neutrality.

3

In addition, to obtain the European ECO2 Neutral recognition, a report is required certifying CO2 neutrality through reduction and/or compensation for 100% of emissions.

Merits valued for obtaining the recognition

Changing habits within the organisation for decarbonisation

Technological changes

  • Demonstrating significant emissions reductions over at least the last two years, based on actions aimed at incorporating low-carbon technologies.
  • Submitting a dossier of actions taken that includes at least the following:
    • Defining and describing the action
    • Scope and reach of the action.
    • Implementation date.
    • Emissions avoided and/or energy costs reduced, demonstrating the impact of the action.

In addition, to obtain the European ECO2 Neutral recognition it is necessary to develop projects to:

  • Reduce GHGs.
  • Help suppliers and other stakeholders decarbonise.