Fifty People And A Dog At First Green Drinks Brussels

The first Green Drinks Brussels organised by Sustainability Consult was held last night at the Aloft Brussels Schuman bar.  We weren’t sure how many people would come to the first Green Drink Brussels but they started arriving early and just kept coming.

The Gap Between Environmental Awareness and Environmental Behaviour

Source: http://ec.europa.eu

Almost all Belgians (97%) agree that it’s important to protect the environment, according to a survey published in November 2012 by Test-Achats/Test-Aankoop, the Belgian association for consumer protection.  But does this also mean that they act on it?

Media Relations from the Commission Frontlines

Source: Sustainability Consult

At the 12th Sustainability Communications Lunch today, we were joined by Joseph Hennon, Spokesman for European Environment Commissioner Janez Potocnik.  Joe gave us some insights into the life of an official Commission spokesman.  Like most media professionals, his job is part handling incoming questions from the media and part pitching stories to the media, particularly linked to key policy areas like resource efficiency, green growth, waste, clean air and water.  

It’s the Fuel Economy, Stupid!

Source: Volkswagen

A breakfast debate hosted this week by Green Party MEP Carl Schlyter with NGO Transport and Environment made the business case for stricter van CO2 and fuel efficiency standards.

As oil prices rise, fuel has become a significant business cost but it is also a significant environmental cost.  According to a Transport and Environment Position Paper, “Vans are one of the fastest growing sources of transport CO2 emissions, increasing by 26% between 1995 and 2010 and now accounting for 8% of EU’s total road transport emissions.”  Parcel services, most of which use LCVS (Light Commercial Vehicles) - vans - are estimated to grow by 6% until 2020 due to the rise in e-commerce.  Taking these two factors into consideration, it makes good business sense for a business to invest in a fuel-efficient van, at least on a long-term basis. 

Will the Economic Crisis Impact Sustainability in Greece?

Source: herrco.gr

The risk that environmental programmes and sustainability initiatives be postponed due to the crisis is strong and nowhere less so than in Greece where environmental initiatives have been put on hold.  The government justifies this break as a consequence of the present economic crisis.  

Apps for a more sustainable world?

Source switchboard.nrdc

Since the boom of the smartphone started, a huge number of smart applications or Apps have arrived on the market. We wanted to share the list of sustainability-related Apps compiled by treehugger and Apps for the environment from the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).  One of our favourites from this list is ‘Gardening Toolkit’ which teaches you how to be a good gardener.  It finds where you live, gives suggestions for the best plants to grow in your area, helps keep track of what you have planted and gives tips for beginners.