EPO publishes latest Environmental Report 2018
The EPO has published its Environmental Report 2018 which presents the environmental impact of the EPO's operations data across all locations in Berlin, Munich, The Hague and Vienna in 2018 and compares the results with those achieved in 2017.
The report shows that CO2 emissions from air and rail travel fell by one fifth last year as a result of a change in staff behaviour and the installation of business tools enabling staff to conduct video conferences from their PCs. However, overall energy, water consumption and residual waste increased over 2017 due to the operation of multiple buildings in parallel at The Hague site and the start-up phase of the EPO's new main building at that location.
Added to this, the report underlines that the EPO's environmental activities have been governed by the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) since 2009 - a management instrument developed by the European Commission for companies and other organisations to evaluate, report, and improve their environmental performance. Over the past decade of implementing this scheme, the Office has reduced its yearly electricity consumption by 13%, water consumption by 9%, residual waste generation by 24%, heat energy consumption by 20%, paper consumption by 3.9%, and CO2 emissions from energy consumption has been reduced even by 68%.
Looking to the future, the EPO recently reaffirmed its commitment to fostering its environmental sustainability: Under the Office's Strategic Plan 2023, the EPO will continue to apply rigorous environmental auditing through the EMAS. There will be defined objectives for its carbon footprint, energy consumption, paper consumption, plastic elimination, and CO2 emissions from air travel. Specific measures directly contributing to achieving these targets will also be taken. The Strategic Plan further highlights particular attention will be paid to assessing how the Office can make a greater contribution to the long-term environmental goals of the Paris Agreement 2015.
Further information
Environmental Report 2018 (900 KB)
Related items
At their annual meeting, the world’s five largest IP Offices focus on the role of IP in contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals
EPO and IP offices collaborate on commemorative video
This report looks at Europe's cleantech innovators, highlighting their activities and the support they need to bring their inventions to market.
Exhibition on firefighting technologies inaugurated in Sežana
The EPO will begin implementing a new sustainability-focused strategy following its adoption by the Administrative Council.
Exhibition on firefighting technologies opens in the heart of Athens and EPO President meets with Greek Minister
Acknowledgements of receipt go solely digital from 1 February 2024
New data added to the clean energy technology platform and Deep Tech Finder. Register for online seminar discussing this technology on 7 December.
Digital event provides record number of users with a wealth of resources on EPO online services, including several new features
Patent analyses show that innovation in offshore wind energy is on the rise again, with China the driving force.
Trilateral Offices collaborate to advance SDG 4 on quality education at annual meeting.
EPO delegation participates at major biennial forum held by the Organisation Africaine de la Propriété Intellectuelle in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
The EPO highlights the power of patents in driving sustainable development.
Annual meeting of the IP5 Offices: addressing climate change through an accessible and inclusive IP system.
The study will assess how sustainable- and clean-tech companies in Europe and the US commercialise products and services and create economic value.
A second pilot phase has started that will deliver major new features in the coming seven months.
Explore the event recordings, which contain a wealth of information on the diverse patent data and information resources provided by the EPO.
The European Patent Office has published its Strategic Plan (SP2023) outlining its vision for the years ahead. The EPO’s Strategic Plan (SP2023), unanimously adopted by its Administrative Council, focuses on achieving five goals that will ensure