This document describes the Environmental Sustainability activities to be undertaken and the deliverables required by the European Space Agency (“ESA” or the “Agency”) in relation to the delivery of the Service.

There is a need to understand, measure and reduce the environmental footprint of ESA’s activities. ESA’s Agenda 2025 sets the objectives of reducing the Agency’s greenhouse gases emissions by 28% by 2030 for downstream activities (Scope 3) compared to 2019.

This also supports the goal to reach European climate neutrality by 2050, by cooperating on activities contributing to this target, such as assessing the footprint of the activities implemented in the Service, avoiding and reducing emissions of greenhouse gas, switching to green electricity, implementing best environmental practices, promoting environmentally friendly technologies and supporting innovation. The European Climate Law writes into law the goal set out in the European Green Deal for Europe’s economy and society to achieve climate-neutrality by 2050. The law also sets the intermediate target of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels. 

The European Commission applies a policy of continuous improvement of its environmental impacts through EMAS (Environmental Management and Audit Scheme).