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Environmental protection at the European Central Bank

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At the ECB, we too have a role to play in protecting the environment and fighting climate change.

Climate change and environmental degradation pose significant risks to the economy and the financial sector. The ECB must therefore examine and mitigate the environmental impact of its own operations. By reducing our carbon footprint and promoting sustainable practices, we can make our own contribution and also support broader environmental goals.

Read our latest environmental statement

How we improved our environmental performance in 2025

Rollout of our staff bike-sharing service, following the successful pilot project

Inauguration of a nature trail and sand dune habitat in the grounds of our main building

Uptake of our climate change e-learning course – taken by over 3,000 staff since 2022

Waste separation game included in communications with newcomers

Update of our energy dashboard and integration of a forecasting tool

Start of our Dynamic Workspaces project and our supervisors’ move to the new Gallileo building

Our operational carbon footprint at a glance

Our role in protecting the environment

How are we fostering environmental protection?

Our environmental policy commits us to reducing our operational carbon footprint and improving our environmental performance. Progress is driven by our Environmental Management System, certified under ISO 14001 and registered with EMAS. Our 2030 emission reduction objective relies on science-based methodologies.

What is our environmental focus for 2025-27?

Environmental protection at the ECB is entering a new cycle. Our actions to improve our own environmental performance will be guided by our new Environmental Management Programme for 2025-27. Building on previous experience, the programme aims to further reduce the environmental impact of our organisation by focusing on the six key areas set out below.

Six key areas for our environmental actions in 2025-27

Continuing our pursuit of our Paris-aligned emission reduction objective

Exploring ways to enhance the energy efficiency of our premises

Embedding a reuse and recycle culture in our organisation

Further adapting the grounds of the main building to provide a sanctuary for biodiversity

Reducing travel-related emissions through a systematic policy review

Promoting environmentally sustainable behaviour among our staff

WANT TO LEARN MORE?

CHECK OUT OUR PREVIOUS RELEASES

31 July 2025

ECB Environmental Statement 2025

16 August 2024

2024 update of the ECB’s Environmental Statement

28 July 2023

2023 update of the ECB's Environmental Statement

29 July 2022

ECB Environmental Statement 2022

26 July 2021

2021 update of the ECB's Environmental Statement
SHOW ALL RELEASES

SEE ALSO

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AT THE ECB AND IN OTHER EU INSTITUTIONS

Energy-saving features of our main building

Find out how we recycle energy, heat and rainwater to make our skyscraper as green as possible.

Find out more about how we recycle energy

Interinstitutional collaboration

Learn more about how the ECB and other European institutions registered with EMAS work together to reduce our ecological footprints.

More on interinstitutional collaboration

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