The European Lotteries amplifies its efforts towards environmental sustainability and climate conservation.
European Lotteries (EL) is now more focused on the environment. With the announcement of new eco-friendly guidelines, EL aims to lower greenhouse gas emissions, establish achievable targets, and incorporate sustainable practices.
New Eco-Friendly Guidelines for Members
Europe's fight against climate change extends beyond gambling, as EL, Europe's largest organization for lottery societies, recently announced [English link] its commitment to actively reduce greenhouse gas emissions, establish measurable goals, and adopt eco-friendly practices. The organization has also updated its sustainability guidelines, aligning them with global sustainability standards.
This new commitment shows EL's proactive approach to climate change, while the updated guidelines ensure members continue to lead in ecological and social responsibility." - Romana Girandon, EL President, EL
The revised EL sustainability guidelines offer members a detailed guide for implementing eco-friendly strategies. They are based on global standards like the ISO 26000. Key objectives include reducing greenhouse gas emissions, championing eco-friendly procurement practices, and backing labor and human rights. Furthermore, the EL sustainability guidelines include the following key points:
- Eco-protection: Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and monitoring of environmental impact.
- Eco-friendly procurement: Promotion of responsible purchasing methods, especially for materials such as paper.
- Social responsibility: Adherence to and promotion of labor and human rights.
- Self-evaluation: Members can assess and improve their own eco-friendly strategies.
- Transparency: Regular reporting on progress and challenges in sustainability.
EL's Social Initiatives
The latest EL project is not the first example of the organization's social action. In 2021, EL launched the EL Environmental Initiative [English link] in response to growing environmental concerns, enabling members to work together on more eco-friendly practices. This initiative is voluntary and aims to develop practical measures to reduce CO2 emissions in the lottery industry and promote sustainable business practices. By collaborating, EL and its members can play a significant role in combating climate change and creating new environmentally-minded solutions.
The initiative's main goal is to foster a common commitment among EL members. Initially, members can choose between one and three specific eco-friendly measures, such as using paper from sustainable forests or reducing greenhouse gas emissions. These measures are designed to prepare the industry for potential future European regulations aimed at limiting resource consumption and emissions.
What is European Lotteries (EL)?
The EL is the European umbrella organization of national lottery companies operating games of chance, like lotteries and sports betting. EL brings together 70 members from 39 countries, including all EU member states.
- Organization: European umbrella organization of national lotteries.
- Members: 70 members from 39 countries (including 50 in the EU).
- Purpose: Promotion of charitable projects through lottery revenues.
- Focus: Responsible gaming for the public good.
- Values: Forward-thinking, sustainability, and integrity.
- Games: Games of chance, including sports betting.
- Headquarters: Lausanne, Switzerland.
EL is well-known for its Responsible Gaming Certification Program. This program promotes practices in responsible gaming among members. Its objective is to ensure that games are operated in a safe and transparent environment. Additionally, the national lotteries affiliated with EL work to combat illegal gambling and ensure compliance with stringent national regulations.
Gambling and the Environment: A Complex Relationship
Even the gambling industry isn't immune to conflicts with new regulations and laws. For example, in February, there was a case in Germany, with an uncertain outcome. In Siegburg, the Bund für Umwelt- und Naturschutz (BUND) allegedly demanded a construction stop for a planned Merkur Spielbank, claiming it violated the FFH habitat directive, the Water Framework Directive, and the Climate Protection Act.
"Anyone who still approves construction projects in the floodplain and in the central biotope axes of large river floodplains today is acting highly irresponsibly." – Achim Baumgartner, BUND e.V. Kreissprecher, General-Anzeiger.
Gambling hotspots like Las Vegas and Macau are already notorious for their high resource consumption and significant environmental impacts. Although they generate significant revenue from tourism and gambling, they also produce considerable amounts of waste and greenhouse gases.
In Las Vegas, increasing energy demand for air conditioning and lighting, coupled with decreasing water levels in Lake Mead, could strain the environment in the future. Similarly, in Macau, which set a new visitor record in August, increased traffic-related air pollution could exacerbate existing environmental issues.
The revised EL sustainability guidelines encourage members to closely follow global standards like ISO 26000, focusing on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, promoting eco-friendly procurement practices, and backing labor and human rights. (from the 'EL's Social Initiatives' section)
Furthermore, EL's Environmental Initiative aims to foster a common commitment among members by allowing them to choose eco-friendly measures, such as using paper from sustainable forests or reducing greenhouse gas emissions. (from the 'EL's Social Initiatives' section)
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