European Commission rewards Europe’s champions in eco-innovation

 

Seven companies from six different countries have been announced as winners of the 2018-2019 European Business Awards for the Environment, the scheme that rewards those businesses that are making the most outstanding contribution to sustainable development through eco-innovation.

 

While presenting the awards, Gilles Gantelet, Director at the European Commission’s DG Environment, said: “The EU is at the crossroads of its transformation towards a more sustainable economy, and businesses are vital to drive this change forward. All the finalists of this year’s awards have taken major steps to bring us closer to a pollution-free, low-carbon and circular economy, and we are here to celebrate their achievements. These enterprises prove that eco-innovation isn’t just about protecting our planet – it’s also an excellent business decision, playing a key role in European competitiveness.”

The winners were announced during the European Business Awards for the Environment Ceremony that took place on 14 November in Vienna (Austria) as part of the “Growth in Transition” conference, in the presence of Jürgen Schneider, Director General, Austrian Federal Ministry for Sustainability and Tourism.

The winners were recognised in six different areas: Micro and Small Companies Management; Medium and Large Companies Management; Product and Services; Business Process; Developing Country Cooperation and Business and Biodiversity. The jury exceptionally decided to award two winning companies in the Micro and Small Companies Management category.

Background

The European Business Awards for the Environment, an initiative of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for the Environment, recognise businesses that successfully combine innovation, competitiveness and outstanding environmental performance.

The awards are held every two years and are underpinned by a series of national environmental award schemes: only winners, runners-up and companies specially commended in national competitions are eligible to apply for the European award.

The 2018-2019 competition, the tenth edition of the Awards, received 161 applications from 19 European countries.