Yesterday, the European Commission launched the Green Consumption Pledge, which is announced as the first initiative of the new Consumer Agenda, aiming to promote sustainable consumption. By signing the pledge companies commit to improve their environmental impact and help consumers make more sustainable purchases. The pledge is actually a set of five core pledges, and companies need to take specific measures in at least 3 out 5 of these pledges upon signing. They will also publish data on their progress to achieving these steps. The five core pledges are as follows:
1. Calculate the carbon footprint of the company (incl. supply chain) and commit to footprint reduction;
2. Calculate the carbon footprint of selected flagship products and to achieve certain reductions therein;
3. Increase the sale of sustainable products or services;
4. Commit part of the corporate PR expenditure to the promotion of sustainable practices;
5. Ensure information provided to consumers in relation to the company and product carbon footprints is easy to access, transparent and up-to-date.
This initiative is aimed at non-food products (as food products are covered by the separate Code of Conduct within the Farm to Fork strategy). Companies may join the pledge by contacting the Commission by end of March 2021. The companies that so far have joined are: L'Oreal, Renewd, Lego Group, Decathlon, Colruyt Group.
