European Parliament 2015 carbon emissions to be offset

The European Parliament opened tender, on 16 July 2016, aiming to fulfil commitments to fully offset its irreducible carbon emissions, and to become the first 100% carbon-neutral EU institution, according to the decision, taken at the end of last year, by the Parliament’s Bureau (President, Vice-Presidents and Quaestors).

Parliament’s first carbon-offsetting scheme, in force since September 2011, included emissions only from official staff travel and official cars, as well as energy use in Parliament buildings. The new scheme encompasses all Parliaments' irreducible carbon emissions, including those from MEPs’ flights between their countries of origin and Brussels and Strasbourg.

The tender covers all the carbon emissions produced by the EP in 2015 (124 255 tons of CO2) - direct, semi-direct and indirect emissions - the broadest and most ambitious scope possible in accordance with the international greenhouse gas accounting standards.

The contract value is EUR 249 000; the deadline to submit offers is 15 September 2016.

REF. : 20160725IPR37803