Framework

Brussels is the main site, the Commission's administrative centre, with a range of buildings dominated by offices but including conference centres, catering facilities, storage depots, print shops, childcare, medical and sports facilities.

The Luxembourg site is of a similar nature, though smaller but also hosts the main data centres of the Commission and a small radiation protection laboratory operated by the DG for Energy.

The five Joint Research Centre (JRC) sites outside Brussels are all incorporated under EMAS. In contrast to Brussels and Luxembourg, these scientific sites mainly comprise unique research and technical infrastructures. More details on the different JRC sites can be found here and a summary is presented below.

• JRC Geel (Belgium) is recognised worldwide, both for being a major certified reference material (CRM) producer as well as for its nuclear activities with its two nuclear accelerators Gelina and Monnet. The site is also known for its expertise in metrology and standardisation in several fields (nuclear, health and food, transport and border security).
• JRC Ispra (Italy) is considered one of Europe's leading research campuses with many laboratories and research infrastructures, including a power plant, a fire station and a water treatment facility as well as over 100 heated buildings. There are also several nuclear installations on the site as follows:
  • Nuclear activities in long term shutdown, i.e. interrupted and included in the decommissioning programme (ESSOR – ESSais ORgel, Cyclotron, LCSR - Laboratorio Caldo Studi e Ricerche, STRRL - Stazione Trattamento Rifiuti Radioattivi Liquidi). The ECO-FARO Esperienza Critica ORGEL Fuel Assemblies melting Oven installation was dismantled in 2014.
  • Installations where activities functional to the decommissioning programme are performed, e.g. radioactive waste management (Stazione Gestione Rifiuti Radioattivi, Stazione Trattamento Effluenti Liquidi, Tank farm, Intermim Storage Facility, Dry Wells) and nuclear fuel dismantling (Atelier Démantèlement Eléments Combustible).
  • Laboratories where research activities connected to nuclear safety and safeguards are performed (PERLA: PERformance LAboratory, PUNITA: PUlsed Neutron Interrogation Test Assembly).
• JRC Karlsruhe (Germany) is a self-contained site located in a research campus (KIT Campus Nord) on the outskirts of Karlsruhe, and the core of the JRC research for Nuclear Safety and Security. Research activities are conducted only in the nuclear field within the framework of the EURATOM treaty. They cover the following: fundamental properties and applications, safety of nuclear fuels and fuel cycle, nuclear waste management and decommissioning, monitoring of radioactivity in the environment, nuclear safeguards, nuclear non-proliferation and security (including trainings e.g. EUSECTRA).
• JRC Petten (The Netherlands) executes and manages institutional and competitive research activities to support European policy-making for energy, mobility and climate. In particular, for energy - ensuring sustainable, safe, secure and efficient energy production, distribution and use); for mobility - fostering sustainable and efficient mobility in Europe; and for climate - providing scientific and technical analysis to support to integrated air quality, climate and related policies.
• JRC Seville (Spain) provides socio-economic and techno-economic support for the conception, development, implementation and monitoring of EU policies. It has advanced computing infrastructure. As an administrative building, it is similar in nature to the EMAS sites of Brussels and Luxembourg, with the added complexity of occupying rented premises.

DG SANTE site at Grange, Ireland is a purpose-built low level wooden clad structure dating from 2002 and set in countryside 45km north-west of Dublin. It accommodates Directorate F, Health and Food Audits and Analysis, but was previously known as the Food and Veterinary Office (FVO). Many staff members are inspectors or auditors and travel frequently, and typically up to half may be away from the office at any one time.

The activities of the Houses of Europe are typically administrative, communication and public outreach activities, augmented by additional functions such as conference and meeting organisation, and supporting the local activities of European Parliament Members. EMAS in 2021 started with the sites of Vienna (Austria) and Valletta (Malta). In 2022 the sites Budapest (Hungary) and Nicosia (Cyprus) were added. In 2023 the sites The Hague (the Netherlands), Copenhagen (Denmark) and Sofia (Bulgaria) were added. These sites are jointly managed with the European Parliament's Liaison Offices in buildings known as the Houses of Europe (HoE), specific data for the HoE are included in a separate Annex as a standalone document, but the total of the Commission is incorporated in the present document and added to other sites' data.

The EMAS site coordination team for Brussels is located in unit RE3 of the Office of Infrastructure for Brussels (OIB), the Office responsible for the facility management and building policy within the European Commission in Brussels. Site coordination is ensured by two full-time staff members, who integrate a team of 11 responsible, among other files, for the buildings' energy performance and monitoring, environmental compliance of the EC buildings, inclusion of environmental criteria in tenders, namely concerning building works and prospecting the real estate market.”

Site coordination is ensured by two full-time staff members, who integrate a team of 11 responsible, among other files, for the buildings' energy performance and monitoring, environmental compliance of the EC buildings, inclusion of environmental criteria in tenders, namely concerning building works and prospecting the real estate market.

The EMAS site coordination team for Luxembourg is located in Unit O1 of the Office for Infrastructure for Luxembourg (OIL). The Office ensures that all activities associated with the housing of staff, the management of social welfare infrastructure and the logistics of the Commission in Luxembourg are carried out to the best standards. The site coordination is ensured by two-and-a-half-time staff members.

The EMAS Site coordination for the EC Representations Up until 2024, the Central coordination of the EMAS implementation is ensured for the Commission by Unit D2 of DG Communication, responsible for managing the infrastructure of the Commission’s Representations in Member States, supported by the EMAS Central Coordination Team in DG HR.D7 which ensures alignment with the corporate EMAS process and provides the contractual framework for the internal and verification audits. On the Parliament's side, the EMAS and Sustainability Unit, in the Directorate for Innovation and Central Services attached to the Secretary-General of the European Parliament, coordinates the project implementation in cooperation with other service responsible for the management of EPLOs, notably DG COMM and DG INLO, the latter having designated a central contact person for EMAS. Representations site coordinators in DG COMM (EC) and EPLO project coordinators in the EMAS and Sustainability Unit (EP) ensure day-to-day coordination in liaison with local EMAS coordinators in the Houses of Europe.

Morten FJALLAND, Director of Office for Infrastructure, Brussels

The Office for Infrastructure and Logistics in Brussels (OIB) creates a workplace for Commission staff that is functional, safe, and comfortable. It also provides top-quality support, well-being and social services. OIB operations have a client-centred approach, and are environmentally sustainable and cost-efficient. This translates into key accomplishments, such as reduced energy consumption and more self-produced renewable energy, fewer CO₂ emissions, and use of less paper. The dynamic collaborative offices tailor for the changed work reality. Staff is encouraged to use public transport and active modes for commuting. The changes in waste collection and sorting inspire colleagues to also reduce their waste production. These achievements reflect OIB's lasting commitment to continue to do better.

The Communication on Greening the Commission sets a clear goal of reducing CO₂ emissions by 60% (compared to 2005) and reach climate neutrality by 2030. The Brussels-based Commission services, and in particular the OIB, are instrumental to accomplish this ambition. The recent Greening the Commission Progress Review shows, once again, how together we are working towards a more sustainable European Union.

José MIRANDA-VIZUETE, acting Director of the Office for Infrastructure and Logistics, Luxembourg

In OIL, we are dedicated to ensuring a secure and efficient work environment, in line with the “greener and smarter” real estate strategy, while offering services like transportation, office supplies, catering, and after-school childcare

After the installation of services in the MERP building, which possesses a DGNB label (“platinum” level), we are preparing to finalize the construction of the Jean Monnet 2 building. The new complex will be certified under the BREEAM sustainable building label (“excellent” level) and aim for nearly zero emissions building (NZEB) performance standards. Subsequently, we will assess how to continue to optimize our real estate assets to remain aligned with the environmental commitments of the Commission.

In parallel, we maintain our focus on several key aspects, such as reducing energy consumption and waste production, as well as promoting sustainable mobility and awareness raising. Regarding the catering services, OIL will continue to explore how to reinforce its commitment to local sustainability, for example by prioritizing products from short supply chains whenever possible.

• JRC Ispra

  • Rien Stroosnijder, responsible for site management, JRC Ispra

    EMAS is the most rigorous environmental management system available in Europe and is regarded as the premium standard for environmental excellence. Since early 2012, we have committed to the EMAS scheme, building on and extending our ISO 14001 certified management system. Our environmental policy aims to make sure that site operate in such a way that all activities, which have an environmental impact, are planned and executed in order to minimise damage to the environment, prevent pollution and improve environmental performance. Its implementation is only possible thanks to competent technical staff and strong engagement of all persons on site.

    The EMAS results for the European Commission Ispra site during 2024 went generally beyond the targets originally set, particularly due to the impressive work done to reduce our impact on the environment carried out in recent years. Ispra Site Management continued to promote and apply energy saving measures within a more efficient management approach leading to a further reduction in consumption.

    All the energy saving measures/activities put in place on the JRC-Ispra site are in line with the Communication on Greening the Commission that aims to achieving carbon neutrality by 2030. This is how the Commission intends to implement the European Green Deal internally and thereby lead by example. Our ambitious targets will be supported by our environmental core indicators, which facilitate multi-annual comparability within and between organisations. In all this, a participatory approach and the engagement of staff are key, as is the exchange of best practices with host country authorities and transparent communication of our performance to them and the general public.

• JRC Geel

  • Ciáran NICHOLL, Director of JRC Geel

    When JRC-Geel integrated EMAS in 2011, it vouched its commitment to implement an effective environmental management system, despite the challenges of housing and operating specialised EC laboratory infrastructures. Examples include two high energy consuming nuclear accelerators, a high-tech storage facility for reference materials, nuclear and non-nuclear laboratories with over/under atmospheric pressure requirements, etc.

    Each year, JRC-Geel monitors and looks at ways to further improve in reducing its environmental impact and complying with the ever-more stringent legal requirements set by the Flanders Region. Thanks to its BMS (Building Management System), JRC-Geel is able to measure and accurately monitor its EMAS indicators and this allows management to take informed decisions and define improvement actions.

    In an ageing site like JRC-Geel, real opportunity for saving energy resides in a refurbishment programme of buildings, including their insulation. To capitalise on this, JRC-Geel has launched an action plan with projects to consecutively renovate its facilities, including the deep refurbishment of one building according to the principles and values of the New European Bauhaus initiative. Another key element of this strategy is the transition to non-F-gas systems and the enhancement of leak detection protocols for insulation gases, addressing the site’s inherent vulnerabilities in this area.

    This action plan also seeks to integrate the present and future requirements of the respective JRC-Geel site’s scientific work programmes, all the way up to up to 2034. A temporary downside when implementing refurbishment, insulation jobs and clean up exercises is an inevitable waste increase which contributes to the carbon footprint balance.

    An avenue which still requires attention and improved directionality is travelling, despite the JRC commitment to do so.

    Finally, the JRC-Geel site is working to preserve and foster biodiversity by creating “natural habitats for fauna” and striving to map its biodiversity through different Bioblitz projects.

• JRC Karlsruhe

  • Ulla ENGELMANN, responsible for site management, JRC Karlsruhe

    Among the JRC sites, Karlsruhe is unique, being in its entirety a nuclear research facility where the continuous operation of energy-intensive systems is mandatory to ensure nuclear and radiation safety at all times. Combining the very advanced EMAS goals with the realities of an aging infrastructure continues to present significant challenges, and major improvements require substantial investment.

    While the last results show that maintaining progress remains demanding, JRC Karlsruhe has nevertheless achieved a meaningful decrease in energy consumption compared to the 2019 baseline. These reductions are the result of sustained optimisation of our monitoring systems and the efficient operation of our existing installations, even pending completion of our new state-of-the-art laboratory (Wing M).

    JRC Karlsruhe remains committed to further environmental improvements within its facilities. More broadly, our research continues to contribute to the safe and secure use of nuclear energy which many EU member states rely on as an established low-carbon technology contributing to climate change mitigation.

• JRC Petten

  • Piotr SZYMAŃSKI, JRC Petten Site Director

    Site activities focus on sustainable energy and mobility solutions, nuclear safety and climate. The site is home to 27 buildings including state of the art laboratories and supporting infrastructure, where cutting-edge research is performed. Here, scientists and experts collaborate to provide reliable, independent data and technical expertise that help shape Europe’s future.

    The site is nestled within a Natura 2000 protected area. Biodiversity initiatives, nature management, and sustainable development goals are defined and implemented in close cooperation with local Dutch authorities and neighbouring organisations of the Energy and Health Campus (EHC), of which JRC Petten is part.

    As one of the first EMAS-certified European Commission sites, JRC Petten and its staff have continuously demonstrated a deep commitment to upholding environmental standards, European Commission Decisions and Dutch host country legislation.

    New investments are carried out taking the green procurement conditions as a guideline. As an example, the new JRC reception building whose construction started in 2025 and will be completed in Spring 2027, will be constructed as a near-zero energy building (NZEB), following the energy performance level A++++. Furthermore, following a recently performed Energy Study, future infrastructure investments in the horizon 2034, will further improve the sustainability of the buildings, current and future research infrastructures and energy performance of the site, considering the EU’s 2030 and 2050 goals.

• JRC Seville

  • Mikel LANDABASO, Director Fair and Sustainable Economy and responsible for site management at JRC Seville

    In a world that urgently needs to accelerate efforts to achieve the green transition, it is essential for the European Commission to lead by example in managing and enhancing its own environmental performance.

    The JRC Seville site is fully dedicated to this goal, and I am delighted that our indicators demonstrate our efforts to improve our site's environmental performance while ensuring optimal working conditions for our researchers. Additionally, we are integrating sustainability into our core business of providing scientific and technical advice for policy making, demonstrating that we are turning our commitment into action.

    Finally, I am pleased to report that we are making significant progress towards the construction of a new building for our JRC Seville site that will meet world-class environmental performance standards through innovative design, in line with the values and principles of the New European Bauhaus initiative.

Ruben TASCON, SANTE Dir. F (acting) Grange, Ireland

We are located in the lush, green farmland of County Meath, where cattle farming is the main activity although sheep are not an uncommon sight in the fields around us.

We are particularly conscious of the agricultural setting of our site and take steps to ensure that our activities do not have a negative impact on our neighbours or the local environment. We include EMAS compliance as a feature of all contracts and look at how services to our staff can be delivered in an eco-friendly way.

During 2024 we delivered a number of projects. In particular:

• We continued the replacement of old high wattage lighting with new more efficient LEDs at different site locations (emergency light system; parking light system).
• Like every year, large areas of our grassland (approximately 3.75 ha) were left to grow as meadow, in order to encourage the growth of plants and flowers to provide nectar for insects including bees, butterflies and hoverflies.
• • The section of the building known as the Annex remains closed as is the ex-crèche following the phasing out of childcare services due to low demand. Both sections have been effectively mothballed and isolated from the other buildings which contributes to both lower utility KPIs and a lower carbon footprint.

Ms. Dana SPINANT, Director-General DG Communication

The EU institutions’ outposts in the Member States – the Commission Representations and the European Parliament Liaison Offices – joined the EMAS process in 2021. They are the institutions’ public face at local level, with the overarching mission to engage with all segments of society. As such, the Representations and Liaison Offices are in the prime position to demonstrate first-hand, to the 450 million citizens of the Member States in which they are located, the European institutions’ firm commitment to the protection of the environment.

As of today, the Commission and the Parliament joined forces to implement EMAS in Valletta (Malta), Vienna (Austria), Budapest (Hungary), Nicosia (Cyprus), Copenhagen (Denmark), Sofia (Bulgaria) and The Hague (Netherlands). This is done in the context of the so-called Houses of Europe, physical premises hosting the Commission Representations and the Parliament’s Liaison Offices in Member States.

The two-fold aim of the project is to reduce the environmental impact of the Houses of Europe and in doing so, also add credibility to the efforts of the European Union to lead change across Europe at large. The initiative is also the first known example of two European institutions implementing EMAS together, developing additional synergies and efficiencies, as well as a possible blueprint for others to follow.

The Brussels site comprises mostly office buildings (and supporting infrastructure), and therefore the main concerns are energy consumption and related emissions, as well as waste production. The impact of staff mobility (professional travel and commuting) is also important.

In Luxembourg, the activities are mainly of administrative nature, with some support and logistics services (such as catering, office supplies, childcare facilities, etc.) so broadly similar aspects to Brussels. But Luxembourg also hosts the main data centres of the Commission and a radiation protection laboratory.

• JRC Geel is classified as a Class 1 facility under the environmental license, indicating that its operations in the nuclear and chemical/biological sectors have a significant environmental impact. Consequently, nearly all aspects outlined in the EMAS objectives are relevant.
• At JRC Ispra, the environmental aspects and impacts are calculated on the basis of a site-procedure, which takes into consideration Probability (P) and Gravity (G) criteria to define whether an environmental aspect is significant or not.
• JRC Karlsruhe undertook the first full update of the environmental aspects in 2007. These are described in the Environmental Aspects Register (IMS-KRU-S6.6-RGS-0001). It is usually reviewed annually and updated, when necessary and most recently in February 2025. Significant impacts associated with four main aspect groups were identified, mainly concerning the use of resources, emissions and the generation of radioactive waste. Due to the mostly static character of site activities, these have remained unchanged for several years.
• JRC Petten monitors the Environmental Aspects of the site by carrying out annual reviews on unit level. According to the results all six EMAS aspects are significant for the site.
• In JRC Seville, the identified significant environmental aspects are related to offices used in rented premises. Business travels are considered under the corporate umbrella. Although refrigerant losses from buildings rarely occur, they have been considered a significant aspect due to their high potential impact.

For DG SANTE at Grange, a study of the Grange environmental aspects was undertaken for the first time in 2014. Examination and evaluation of Grange's environmental aspects and impacts, both direct and indirect under normal, abnormal and emergency conditions was developed in 2017. The identification of environmental impacts takes account of the organisation’s current and past activities, products and/or services. This table is reviewed and updated every year. The last addition, as a direct consequence of Covid-19, has been the indicator regarding public health.

In DG COMM’s Representations, the activities are mainly of administrative nature, with some support and logistics services. The identified significant aspects reflect the Houses of Europe as a whole, including the EPLO.