Club EMAS has launched an initiative to build partnerships between EMAS companies and local environmental NGOs. Through connecting EMAS organizations with activities of environmental NGOs, organizations seek a better understanding of the needs of NGOs as stakeholders and of how to integrate them into their business activities. The initiative links up with SDG 17 by encouraging the establishment of strategic sectoral and multi-stakeholder partnerships for sustainable development.
A first visit has been organized to ADEFFA, a non-profit organization that works for the preservation of endangered species and their habitats, using environmental education and environmental volunteering as fundamental tools of conservation. The Camadoca center is their headquarters and a wildlife center where they carry out captive breeding activities, raise environmental awareness, and shelter irrecoverable and exotic animals. 19 employees from 14 EMAS companies took place in the first visit, which included volunteer work at the sanctuary. Two more visits are planned for this year, one in September for a marine project and one in October for a "forest bath" to learn about ways to connect employee wellness with nature.
In order to meet the requirements of sustainable development, new economic models and holistic approaches to problem solving are required. Partnerships between companies and NGOs are seen as an important driver in this regard. They enable businesses and NGOs to explore synergies and pool the strengths, capabilities and resources of both parties to create value and a level of impact required to drive the ambitious agenda for change. Apart from an increased problem-solving capacity, partnerships also offer companies and NGOs individual benefits, e.g. they strengthen the social acceptance and environmental legitimacy of companies, and enhance the reputation and visibility of NGOs in terms of their impact and efficiency.
EMAS organizations comply with all legal environmental requirements and manage their environmental impacts in a targeted and systematic manner in the sense of continuous improvement. Their environmental performance is regularly audited by external parties. The environmental statement is an important reference document for partnerships and can be used as a contractual basis. It discloses all information relevant to a partnership, the accuracy of which is verified.