In today’s eco-conscious market, having accurate and reliable data on the environmental impacts of products is essential for both businesses and consumers. The Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) methodology, introduced by the European Commission, provides a comprehensive way to measure and evaluate a product’s environmental impact throughout its entire life cycle. This method enables companies to assess how their products affect the environment, from production through to disposal, focusing on key factors like resource use, energy consumption, and waste management.
The EU4Environment Action, supported by the EU and led by UNIDO, promotes this method in Eastern Partner (EaP) countries. The goal is to educate businesses in these countries about the benefits of PEF and help them improve their environmental practices for more sustainable manufacturing.
In Georgia, Civitta spearheaded pilot projects utilizing the Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) method with five companies in the apparel, footwear, and dairy sectors. As sustainability gained traction, these companies aimed to adopt eco-friendly practices, with Civitta integrating PEF with Life-cycle Assessment (LCA) to enhance their processes and help them develop their products. Through Civitta’s recommendations, these businesses improved their export readiness for EU markets and gained valuable insights into their products’ environmental impacts.
The PEF pilot projects in Georgia show that the method assists companies in becoming more eco-friendly, enhancing their competitiveness, and gaining better access to international markets. As stated by the CEO of one participating company, “Participating in this project allows us to address weaknesses and implement sustainable practices, reinforcing our dedication to excellence. Despite our initial lack of awareness regarding the PEF report’s business importance, we now anticipate that obtaining the relevant certification will allow us to bring products of our cultural heritage to the EU market and provide a competitive advantage”.
The regional event in Brussels on March 13-14, 2024, spotlighted the green transition in Eastern Partnership countries, including Georgia. The event aimed to showcase progress, sustain achievements, and drive further reforms toward a green economy.
Georgian companies and Civitta had the opportunity to present their efforts and successes, demonstrating their commitment to sustainable development to an audience that included key environmental and economic officials, European Commission representatives, EU Member States, and EU4Environment partners.
