Interview with Kęstutis Sadauskas, Director Director for Circular Economy and Green Growth at the European Commission (DG ENV)

 

About the EU ecolabel: established in 1992 and recognised across Europe and worldwide, the EU Ecolabel is a label of environmental excellence that is awarded to products and services meeting high environmental standards throughout their life-cycle: from raw material extraction to production, distribution and disposal. The EU Ecolabel promotes the circular economy by encouraging producers to generate less waste and CO2 during the manufacturing process. The EU Ecolabel criteria also encourage companies to develop products that are durable, easy to repair and recycle. The EU Ecolabel criteria provide exigent guidelines for companies looking to lower their environmental impact and guarantee the efficiency of their environmental actions through third party controls. Furthermore, many companies turn to the EU Ecolabel criteria for guidance on eco-friendly best practices when developing their product lines. We asked Mr. Kęstutis Sadauskas, Director for Circular Economy and Green Growth at the European Commission (DG ENV) to share with HOTREC his views on this relevant initiative.

 

1. What do you think the main advantages of having an EU ecolabel would be for hospitality businesses?

The EU Ecolabel is a key instrument for hotels and campsites to engage in a sustainable recovery. It is a trustworthy label that allows eco-friendly and high-quality alternatives to conventional accommodation to be offered. Not only because quality and environment matter to tourists and business travellers but also because environmental excellence means cost savings, in terms of energy, water, waste. There are therefore economic benefits for companies as well as environmental benefits for consumers.

2. Could you explain to our readers what criteria companies must meet to receive the EU Ecolabel? As you know, over 90% of hospitality businesses in Europe are SMEs and micro-enterprises. Do you think it is feasible for these smaller companies as well to accomplish these criteria?

The majority of EU Ecolabel tourist accommodations are indeed small enterprises! This is thanks to the flexibility of the EU Ecolabel criteria that include both mandatory requirements and optional ones with a points system. They require an optimised environmental and waste management, a reduction of CO2 emissions, energy and water consumption, chemicals and pesticides, as well as waste generation (including food waste).

3. HOTREC fully supports both the EU Ecolabel and the Green Key Ecolabel – two robust and well-known labels that are very relevant for companies in our industry. Is the European Commission planning to cooperate with the Green Key Ecolabel in the future? If so, how do you envisage such cooperation?

Indeed, reliable ecolabels can complement each other’s efforts towards relevant market players for their better engagement in promoting green accommodation and in raising consumers and customers’ awareness. Strength in unity!

Calendar

Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
M
T
W
T
F
S
S
27
28
3
4
5
6
7
8
11
12
13
15
16
17
18
19
21
22
24
25
26
27
28
29
31
1
2
Meeting DG HOME + DG GROW: Ukrainian refugees
01/03/2023    
14:00 - 15:00
On 1 March 2023, HOTREC held a meeting with DG Home and DG GROW on the Ukrainian refugees topic.  Participants to the meeting European Commission [...]
Pact for Skills - coordination meeting
02/03/2023    
15:00 - 16:30
Main outcome of the meeting available
09 Mar
09/03/2023    
10:00 - 12:00
Presentation and draft minutes are now available.
European Platform Undeclared Work - Ukraine refugees sub-group
09/03/2023    
10:00
Participants:  Participants of ELA (European Labour Authority), labour inspectors from Member States, European Federation of Employers; HOTREC (Marta Machado) Agenda Subgroup on displaced persons and [...]
10 Mar
10/03/2023    
11:00 - 12:00
ExCom Video Conference Link ExCom draft agenda - 10 March 2023 Draft Minutes of ExCom meeting of 25 January 2023 Antitrust Statement HOTREC Statutes HOTRE [...]
14 Mar
14/03/2023    
10:00 - 12:00
We are delighted to invite you to the Social Affairs Working Group meeting, taking place on 14 March 2023, online. Please register by using this [...]
Sectoral Social Dialogue meeting
20/03/2023    
10:00 - 13:00
We are delighted to invite you to the next Sectoral Social Dialogue (SSD) meeting, which will be hybrid, taking place on 20 March 2023 (from [...]
23 Mar
23/03/2023    
10:00 - 12:00
SAVE THE DATE: 23 March Exact timing and agenda TBC
Online Series: 90 Minutes to Close The Loop
30/03/2023    
14:00 - 15:30
Online Series: 90 Minutes to Close The Loop Episode 9 – broadcast live on the 30th of March 2023 at 14:00 to 15:30 Roadmap for [...]
Events on 01/03/2023
Events on 02/03/2023
Events on 10/03/2023
Events on 14/03/2023
14 Mar
Events on 20/03/2023
Events on 30/03/2023