European Commission launches new Green Consumption Pledge

The European Commission has launched its new Green Consumption Pledge, the first initiative delivered under the New Consumer Agenda

The Green Consumption Pledge is part of the European Climate Pact, an EU-wide initiative inviting people, communities and organisations to participate in climate action and build a greener Europe.

The aim is to accelerate the contribution of businesses to a sustainable economic recovery and to build consumer trust in the environmental performance of companies and products.

Colruyt Group, Decathlon, LEGO Group, L’Oréal and Renewd are the first to participate in this pilot project.

Companies must commit to improving their environmental impact and to help consumers make more sustainable purchases. To do so, they have to take adopt three of the five pledge areas.

The five core pledge areas are the following:

1. Calculate the carbon footprint of the company
2. Calculate the carbon footprint of selected flagship products
3. Increase the sale of sustainable products or services
4. Commit part of the corporate public relations expenditure to the promotion of sustainable practices
5. Ensure information provided to consumers in relation to the company and product carbon footprints

Commissioner for Justice, Didier Reynders, said: “Empowering consumers to make green choices – that is what we set out to do last autumn when we published the New Consumer Agenda. For informed choices, consumers need more transparency on the carbon footprint and sustainability of products. This is what today’s initiative is about.

“I therefore warmly welcome the five companies to the Green Pledge and I applaud them on their commitment to go beyond what is required by law. I look forward to working with many more companies, so we can boost further sustainable consumption in the EU”.