European consumer co-operatives renew commitment to combat climate change

BRUSSELS, 1 December 2011 – Euro Coop, the European Community of Consumer Co-operatives, released today the 2011 report on its project “Climate Change and Consumer Co-operatives: Taking the Challenge Forward”, highlighting the continued efforts of consumer co-operatives in Europe to combat climate change since the project’s 2009 launch.

The 2011 report details how the consumer co-operative members of Euro Coop made progress on a variety of issues that they pledged to tackle, including:

• sustainable production and consumption
• waste prevention and treatment
• sustainable transportation
• improved education, information and training for employees and consumers
• energy efficiency of buildings
• development of renewable energies
• campaigning
• raising political awareness at the EU level.

Euro Coop Secretary General Rodrigo Gouveia said of the report, “Despite the challenges posed by the current economic crisis, European consumer co-operatives are consistently implementing measures to counter climate change. Through this report, Euro Coop’s members hope to inspire other enterprises to join them in creating a more environmentally responsible society.” 

The complete 2011 report can be found here on the Euro Coop website. 

The national organisations of consumer co-operatives in 17 European countries make up Euro Coop. Founded in 1957, Euro Coop today represents the interests of over 3,200 local and regional co-operatives owned by a total of 25 million consumers across Europe, employing nearly 400,000 people and accounting for €73 billion in annual turnover. 

Euro Coop ID number in the European Commission register of interest representatives: 3819438251-87

For more information, please contact:

Rosita Zilli, Policy Adviser

Email: rzilli@eurocoop.coop

Tel: +32-2-285-00-72