BETA TC joins the European Commission’s Environmental Footprint Technical Advisory Board
The BETA Technology Center at UVic-UCC has recently been appointed as a member of the Environmental Footprint Technical Advisory Board (EF TAB) and will participate in the Agricultural Working Group (AWG), which focuses on the agricultural sector
BETA TC’s inclusion in the Advisory Board is a significant milestone in recognizing its trajectory as a leading institution in sustainability analysis for products and processes within the agri-food industry in Europe. Its participation in such groups highlights its commitment to improving environmental policies through expertise in studying and applying methods to reduce environmental footprints.
Jorge Senán, researcher and head of BETA TC’s Sustainability Accounting and Optimization Unit, emphasizes the team’s efforts and dedication to harmonizing environmental quantification, which is carried out through various projects, like the European NOVAFERT and FOODTURE initiatives.
What is the EF TAB?
The Environmental Footprint Technical Advisory Board (EF TAB) is the advisory body that provides scientific and technical guidance to the European Commission on environmental footprint calculation methodologies for products, industrial processes, and organizations. This also includes advising on the development of new methodologies, which may later be adopted at the European level.
The Agricultural Working Group (AWG) is a subgroup of the EF TAB that focuses on analyzing and addressing specific environmental footprint issues within the agricultural sector. The goal of this Advisory Board and its subgroups is to provide guidance in establishing standardized and official methodologies and rules for assessing and reducing environmental impact across Europe.
This Advisory Board consists of experts in life cycle analysis, representatives of key stakeholders, EU Member States, European Economic Area (EEA) countries, and independent experts. The groups are chaired by representatives from the Directorate-General for the Environment (DG Environment) and the Joint Research Centre (JRC). The DG Environment is responsible for designing and implementing environmental policies within the European Union, while the JRC is the European Commission’s scientific service, providing technical and scientific support for evidence-based policymaking. Their work spans areas such as energy, food security, and health. Both institutions collaborate to help the EU make informed decisions and implement efficient policies to protect the environment and improve quality of life.
After a decade of managing European projects, BETA TC has earned recognition as part of the EF TAB. This appointment will allow it to contribute to life cycle analysis and the development of methodologies for reducing environmental impact, further establishing itself as a key player in shaping sustainability policies for the future of the EU.
