SEPTEMBER 2026

Dear Kasia,

Welcome back after the summer break. 

September has been busy: we released a new study demonstrating that targets for low-carbon concrete production in the EU could be 16 times higher, we focused on Green Public Procurement, which is receiving a lot of attention in the EU, and launched a new workstream bringing our network’s expertise to the agrifood sector. 

In Nairobi, the ECOS Africa team hosted a workshop to discuss how we can move towards a greener ICT value chain, bringing together African and European stakeholders for a dialogue on best approaches to advancing greener digitalisation. 

All this and more in this month’s Newsletter.

EU Public procurement to focus on long-term value, instead of short-term price tag

Public procurement can be a powerful tool for decarbonisation – and the European Commission is finally unleashing it, with new rules that could consider more than only the upfront price tag, setting up Europe’s industries for a low-carbon future. However, the draft Public Procurement Act leaves room for improvement.

Low-carbon concrete quota could be as high as 80%, new research finds

Europe has the tools to ensure public money rewards innovative technologies. An industry-aligned quota for low-carbon concrete can be as high as 80% – 16 times higher than the current 5% proposal. Political ambition needs to be reflected in the Industrial Accelerator Act.

A recipe for change: Transitioning to an agroecological food system

At ECOS, we work across sectors to ensure the technical rules that shape our economies also protect people and the planet. We now bring our expertise to the agrifood sector - where strengthening rules and standards could have profound environmental and social benefits.

Everything you always wanted to know about ecodesign but were too afraid to ask

The EU's ecodesign rules entered into force two years ago. Product groups have since been prioritised, destroying unsold goods was banned, a new ecodesign forum was established, and new standards are being developed. Learn about the current state of EU ecodesign.

How to ensure accurate and reliable green steel labels

Green steel claims can sometimes falsely inflate environmental credentials. How can we ensure reliable and accurate steel labels instead? Take a look at our new factsheet to learn more.

Buildings are for people: Aligning social and environmental lifecycle assessments

European housing and construction policy use metrics that don’t reflect the function of buildings: where we live, work, learn, and heal. The European Affordable Housing Plan is an opportunity to change this logic, using social and environmental lifecycle assessments.

Towards a greener ICT value chain – Dialogue for Europe and Africa

As digitalisation accelerates across Africa, how do we ensure the environmental impact of the ICT value chain is considered, from product design, use, reuse and end of life management? On 24 September in Nairobi, African and European experts discussed how we can shape a sustainable digital future for Africa. 

How public procurement could transform European industry

ECOS construction policy experts Tudor Cherhat and Federica Pozzi spoke to various publications, including Politico, Carbon Pulse, the Kelvin Report, and ENDS Europe about the importance of strong public procurement rules in the EU with mandatory quality criteria.

Keeping the environmental impacts of data centres in the spotlight

Our work on the environmental impacts of data centres continues to be picked up in the press – this month in multiple Romanian outlets, including Capital, where we warn about the impacts of expanding AI infrastructure on climate goals. 

30 September 2026

Connect with leading marine scientists and join an interactive policy exchange on the European Parliament esplanade in Brussels for EU Ocean Week 2026! In collaboration with Seas At Risk and The Pew Charitable Trusts, we invite you to join scientists and experts on textiles and microplastics to discuss solutions for microplastic pollution from textiles.

🐋 Come and find our giant whale outside the European Parliament and add your messages of support to curb microplastic pollution!

• Making this fossil fuel crisis Europe’s last one
• Packaging recyclability performance grades
• Bulk retail and refill systems: The regulatory framework and sectoral guidance applicable in France
• Joint comments on draft act for battery recycled content
• Ecodesign and energy labelling requirements for electronic displays
• Ecodesign for electronic displays – Restricting halogenated flame retardants 
• The role of the EU Governance Regulation for agriculture

Integrate repair into your school

Repair Together (Belgium) is introducing repair into schools, helping to put the environment at the heart of education and raise awareness on the opportunities for repair [FR]. Teaching students to repair products equips them with technical, multidisciplinary skills.

25 years of RREUSE: Shaping the next social and circular Europe

For 25 years, RREUSE has built a social circular community, connecting the EU’s social and circular agendas. Join the RREUSE network on 20-21 October to take stock, learn from peers across Europe, and discuss building an inclusive, resilient, and waste-free society.

Carbon Accounting Alliance Conference 

6 October– London, UK/Online

ECOS Programme Officer Thea Lyngseth will moderate a session on market-based instruments at and Environmental Attribute Certificates. Join her to discuss the role of market-based instruments in GHG accounting and Net Zero standards.