Brussels, July 2026 — It was with great pleasure that we were invited this evening to join the Green Team in celebrating the EMAS registration of the European External Action Service (EEAS), the European Union’s diplomatic service. This is a major milestone, the result of three years of rigorous, collaborative work carried out in partnership with our partners Arcadis, Arctik and Comase.
An institutional commitment at the highest level
The EEAS — which represents the European Union on the international stage through a network of more than 145 delegations worldwide — has chosen to align its internal management with the environmental ambitions it champions globally. By committing to the EMAS (Eco-Management and Audit Scheme) framework, the EU’s diplomatic service has decided to make its Brussels headquarters a model of operational environmental responsibility, consistent with the European Green Deal that it promotes on a daily basis in its external relations.
EMAS: a rigorous environmental management framework
EMAS is the European Union’s voluntary scheme enabling organisations to measure, report on and continuously improve their environmental performance. Based on the international ISO 14001 standard, it goes further by imposing additional requirements: demonstrated continuous improvement, full legal compliance, staff involvement, and the annual publication of an independently verified environmental statement.
Achieving this certification means committing to a process of sustainable transformation — not merely compliance.
21 Solutions, Arcadis and Comase: three years working alongside the EEAS
Since 2023, 21 Solutions has supported the EEAS in this ambitious initiative, as part of a consortium with Arcadis and Comase. Our role has centred on several key aspects of implementing the environmental management system.
Our role:
- Engaging the ‘Green Team’ – that is, representatives from the various key departments at the Brussels headquarters
- Equipping and training administrative managers and environmental correspondents at delegations around the world. Initially through a pilot project, which is now gradually being rolled out to all delegations.
- Supporting internal environmental governance, in collaboration with the EEAS Environment Steering Committee
- Conducting audits, internally as well.
This work was carried out within a specific institutional context: a global diplomatic organisation, with complex operational constraints, multiple stakeholders, and a heightened need for transparency and credibility vis-à-vis international partners.
Concrete results, a confirmed trajectory
The EEAS Environmental Declaration 2025 demonstrates tangible progress since the 2019 baseline: reduced energy consumption, a smaller carbon footprint, and gains in sustainable mobility, responsible procurement and recycling. The organisation is now officially on track to meet its 2030 sustainability targets.
“By linking policy and operations, we are strengthening our credibility, our resilience and our contribution to a sustainable future for Europe and the world.” Kristin de Peyron, Director-General for Resource Management, Chair of the EEAS Environment Steering Committee.
A source of collective pride, a strong signal
What are we most proud of in this project? Having remained true to our hallmark: keeping things simple even when the context is complex, by putting people first. So, if the transition seems complicated to you, let’s have a chat – we’re willing to bet it’ll be less so than it was with this incredible client!
21 Solutions specialises in ecological, social and organisational transition, taking a people-centred approach.