On November 3, during the Circular Economy Stakeholder Conference, the European Commission announced the winners of the European Business Environment Awards (EBAE) 2020-2021, where Spanish initiatives were the clear protagonists, taking 70% of the awards.

On November 3, during the Circular Economy Stakeholder Conference, the European Commission announced the winners of the European Business Environment Awards (EBAE) 2020-2021, where Spanish initiatives were the clear protagonists, taking 70% of the awards.

The EBAE Awards are an initiative of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for the Environment, which recognises leading companies in eco-innovation in Europe. These companies combine innovation, competitiveness and an outstanding environmental commitment, producing economic value while reducing their environmental impact. The Prizes have been awarded every two years since 1987, and are only eligible for the winners and finalists of national competitions. The award ceremony of the national section of these Awards, coordinated by the Biodiversity Foundation of the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, was presided over by His Majesty the King on 28 October, accompanied by the Vice-President and Minister for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, Teresa Ribera.

For this edition, proposals were received from 16 European countries competing in 6 categories. Spanish projects won the top prize in 4 of them. Thus, Naturgy, TECNORESIDUOS R3, Idai Nature and Tejidos Royo won the top prize in their respective categories. In the other two, the winners were initiatives from Belgium and the Netherlands. The jury of these Awards, made up of 19 environmental experts from industry, academia and non-governmental organizations, also awarded 10 silver medals and 12 Rising Stars, recognizing, with the latter award, particularly innovative initiatives that are in the early stages or pioneering initiatives in national contexts. Heineken Spain won the silver medal in the Business and Biodiversity Category, while Cantueso Natural Seeds won the Rising Star. In the Cooperation in Developing Countries Category, the Rising Star award went to Basoinsa.

During the second half of 2021, the Biodiversity Foundation will once again convene the national competition, this time under the name of National Environmental Awards for Business. The participation of regional sections will also be promoted for this new edition.