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!

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08 Sep
08/09/2023    
09:00 - 13:00
List of Participants Ms. Olga Kefalogianni, Greek Tourism Minister, will join us during the morning for an exchange (timing will be confirmed later) Draft Agenda [...]
Together for EU Tourism (T4T) stakeholder meeting
11/09/2023    
09:00 - 13:00
On 11 September 2023, the European Commission (DG GROW) will organise the first stakeholder event to support the co-implementation of the Transition Pathway for Tourism. This will be a hybrid event, taking place in Brussels and online.
Social Affairs Working Group meeting
12/09/2023    
10:00 - 12:00
On 12 September 2023, HOTREC will organise another meeting of its Social Affairs Working Group.
Members session on HOTREC European elections manifesto
14/09/2023    
10:00 - 12:00
On 14 September 2023, HOTREC will organise a members-only session to discuss the upcoming European Elections (June 2024). 
HOTREC Sectoral Social Dialogue Committee meeting
18/09/2023    
09:30 - 13:00
On the morning of 18 September 2023, HOTREC will organise another meeting of the Sectoral Social Dialogue (SSD) Committee. 
HOTREC Short-Term Rentals (STRs) Working Group meeting
21/09/2023    
10:00 - 11:30
On 21 September 2023, HOTREC will organise another meeting of its Short-Term Rentals Working Group.
Social Dialogue reform - meeting with European Commission
27/09/2023    
09:30 - 12:00
On 27 September 2023, HOTREC, together with other social partners representatives, will meet wit the European Commission to discuss the future organisation of the Social [...]
Working Group on Restaurants, Bars, Cafés & Late-nights: 28 September 2023
28/09/2023    
10:00 - 11:30
New information now available: link to register & draft agenda of the meeting.
Events on 08/09/2023
Events on 11/09/2023
Events on 12/09/2023
Events on 18/09/2023