Environmental Commitment Statement 

Effective December 17, 2024

Our Environmental Vision

The European Digital Trade Center (EDTC) is committed to advancing environmental stewardship, circular economy development, and sustainable digital transformation as core organizational drivers. We recognize that the European Union’s transition toward circular economy principles, waste valorization, and net-zero emissions by 2050 requires integrated digital solutions, technological innovation, and transparent environmental governance. Portugal, as an EU member state, plays a crucial role in implementing these continental commitments through national legislation and regional initiatives aligned with the EU Green Deal.

Our Core Commitments

1. Circular Economy Integration

EDTC actively promotes circular economy principles across all service delivery, procurement practices, and advisory services. We support the European Circular Economy Policies through:

• Digital waste management platform development enabling real-time waste tracking, material recovery optimization, and waste-to-value initiatives aligned with EU and Portuguese circular targets.
• Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) frameworks supporting producer accountability and waste valorization across all EU member states and specifically in Portugal.
• Advisory services helping organizations transition to circular business models and sustainable supply chains in compliance with EU and Portuguese legislation.

2. Regulatory Compliance and Environmental Governance

EDTC operates in full compliance with the European Union’s comprehensive environmental legislative framework and Portugal’s national transposition of EU directives:

PORTUGAL:

• General Waste Management Scheme (Decree-Law 102-D/2020): Portugal’s comprehensive waste management legal framework implementing EU waste hierarchy principles; establishes 70% recycling and material recovery targets for construction and demolition waste; mandates 10% minimum incorporation of recycled materials in public procurement infrastructure projects.
• Unified Legal Framework for Specific Waste Streams (Decree-Law 152-D/2017, amended by Decree-Law 24/2024): Establishes Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) principles for packaging, electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), batteries, accumulators, oils, tires, furniture, and medical self-care products; requires producers to manage end-of-life waste and achieve sector-specific collection and recycling targets.
• Climate Law (Law 98/2021): Establishes Portugal’s commitment to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050; mandates greenhouse gas emission reductions of >55% by 2030 and >90% by 2050 (referenced to 2005 levels); requires net CO₂ equivalent sink of >13 MtCO₂ in land use and forestry sector by 2045-2050.
• Roadmap for Carbon Neutrality 2050 (Resolution 107/2019): Outlines trajectory for achieving carbon neutrality by 2050; requires construction sector adoption of construction and demolition waste recycling, natural material use, and energy consumption reduction.
• National Plan for Energy and Climate 2030 (PNEC 2030, Resolution 53/2020): Addresses decarbonization, energy efficiency, renewable energy security, and research innovation; incorporates circular economy principles in construction and buildings through renewable energy integration and efficiency improvements.
• Portuguese Circular Economy Action Plan (Resolution 190-A/2017): Framework for increasing secondary raw materials integration; reduces waste production, primary material demand, greenhouse gas emissions, and water consumption; establishes construction sector action plan for circular transition.
• Action Plan for Circularity in Construction Sector (PACCO, 2022): Guides construction sector transition from linear to circular economy model with 30 measures and 100+ actions; increases reuse and recycling to reduce virgin resource depletion; lowers built environment greenhouse gas emissions to support European 2030 and 2050 goals.
• Public Procurement Code (Decree-Law 18/2008, rectified by DR 25/2021): Aligned with EU Green Public Procurement strategy; promotes circular economy and environmental sustainability in public procurement; allows sustainability and circularity as award and tie-breaking criteria.
• Extended Producer Responsibility Legislation (various decrees): Implements mandatory EPR schemes for producers placing products on Portuguese market; requires registration in national waste databases, eco-fee payment, reporting of quantities placed on market, and achievement of collection and recycling targets.
• Legal Regime for Urbanization and Edification (Decree-Law 555/99, revision 118/2019): Addresses construction and demolition waste treatment requirements; currently being enhanced with additional circular economy principles for material reuse and recycling.

EUROPEAN UNION: 

• European Green Deal (2019): Comprehensive framework establishing the EU’s commitment to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 and become the first climate-neutral continent; supports transition to circular economy and sustainable digital transformation.
• Circular Economy Action Plan (2020): Core pillar of the Green Deal addressing product design, manufacturing, consumption, and waste management; promotes waste prevention, reuse, repair, refurbishment, and recycling across all sectors.
• Circular Economy Act (Due for adoption 2026): Establishes a Single Market for secondary raw materials; aims to double the EU circularity rate from 12% to 24% by 2030; reinforces Extended Producer Responsibility frameworks and resource efficiency requirements.
• Waste Framework Directive (2008, amended 2018): Foundational waste management framework requiring member states to prevent waste generation, promote circular economy principles, and establish waste hierarchies (prevent, reuse, recycle, recover, dispose).
• Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR, July 2024): Establishes durability, repairability, and recyclability requirements for products; mandates Digital Product Passports; prohibits planned obsolescence; promotes circular design principles.
• Directive on Right to Repair (July 2024): Ensures consumers and independent repairers have access to spare parts, repair information, and affordable repair services to extend product lifespans.
• Regulation on Packaging and Packaging Waste (PPWR, February 2025): Harmonizes national measures for secondary raw materials, manufacturing, recycling, and reuse; establishes binding recycling targets and packaging reduction requirements across EU member states.
• Batteries Regulation (July 2023): Ensures batteries are sustainable and circular throughout their lifecycle; establishes collection, recycling, and recovered material content targets.
• Waste Shipments Regulation (May 2024): Ensures the EU does not export waste challenges; regulates international waste transfers with enhanced traceability and environmental safeguards.
• Directive Empowering Consumers for Green Transition (March 2024): Provides consumers with transparent information on product durability, reparability, and legal guarantee rights at point of sale.
• Industrial Emissions Directive 2.0 (August 2024): Integrates circular economy practices and resource efficiency into Best Available Techniques for industrial facilities.

3. Digital Innovation for Environmental Impact

EDTC develops and implements cutting-edge digital solutions that deliver measurable environmental benefits:

• Waste Logistics Optimization: Route optimization algorithms reducing collection inefficiencies and carbon footprint.
• Electronic Freight Transport Information (eFTI): Elimination of paper-based processes and supply chain transparency enabling decarbonization.
• Real-Time Monitoring Systems: IoT-enabled waste tracking and performance measurement supporting data-driven environmental governance.
• Circular Economy Digital Marketplace: Connecting waste generators, recyclers, and material processors to maximize resource recovery.
• Waste Logistics Optimization: Route optimization algorithms reducing collection inefficiencies and carbon footprint.
• Electronic Freight Transport Information (eFTI): Elimination of paper-based processes and supply chain transparency enabling decarbonization.
• Real-Time Monitoring Systems: IoT-enabled waste tracking and performance measurement supporting data-driven environmental governance.
• Circular Economy Digital Marketplace: Connecting waste generators, recyclers, and material processors to maximize resource recovery.

4. Operational Environmental Management

EDTC commits to minimizing environmental impact across all organizational facilities and administrative operations:

• Waste Reduction and Segregation: Implementation of waste hierarchies, segregation protocols, and material recovery in all facilities.
• Energy Efficiency: Assessment and adoption of renewable energy solutions and operational carbon monitoring.
• Water Conservation: Sustainable water management practices aligned with the European Union’s environmental standards.
• Sustainable Procurement: Environmental and social criteria integrated into all vendor selection and supply chain management.

5. Environmental Performance Monitoring and Transparency

EDTC measures and publicly reports environmental performance through:

• Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): Waste diversion rates, carbon emissions (Scopes 1, 2, 3), energy efficiency improvements, water conservation metrics.
• Annual Environmental Reporting: Transparent disclosure of performance data, compliance status, and sustainability initiatives.
• Third-Party Verification: Engagement of independent auditors to validate environmental metrics and compliance.
• Stakeholder Communication: Regular reporting to clients, regulatory authorities, and community stakeholders.

6. Supply Chain and Partnership Environmental Standards

EDTC requires environmental compliance across all supplier and partner relationships:

• Vendor Environmental Assessment: Integration of sustainability criteria into all procurement and vendor management decisions, ensuring compliance with EU and Portuguese environmental legislation.
• Carbon Reporting Requirements: Strategic partners contribute to EDTC’s environmental and carbon reporting objectives aligned with EU Green Deal targets.
• Circular Economy Integration: Requirement that logistics and procurement partners adopt circular economy principles in accordance with EU Circular Economy Action Plan and Portuguese national frameworks.
• Continuous Improvement Dialogue: Regular engagement with partners on environmental performance enhancement and regulatory compliance.

Alignment with International Standards

EDTC’s environmental commitment is aligned with:

• ISO 14001:2015 (Environmental Management Systems).
• EU Regulation 2020/1056 (eFTI Directive) for sustainable digital logistics.
• United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production; SDG 13: Climate Action; SDG 15: Life on Land).
• EU Digital Product Passport requirements under Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation.

Government and Stakeholder Engagement

EDTC actively engages with European environmental regulatory authorities and Portuguese national institutions, including:

PORTUGAL:

• Ministry of Environment and Climate Action: Primary governmental body responsible for environmental policy, climate strategy, waste management oversight, and implementation of EU environmental directives in Portugal.
• Portuguese Environment Agency (Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente – APA): National environmental regulatory authority issuing environmental licenses and permits, conducting environmental impact assessments, monitoring water quality and pollution, coordinating waste management systems, and enforcing environmental compliance across all sectors. APA is undergoing restructuring (announced May 2026) to simplify licensing processes and improve administrative efficiency.
• Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests (Instituto da Conservação da Natureza e das Florestas – ICNF): Public institute responsible for nature conservation, biodiversity protection, forest management, and implementation of ecosystem rehabilitation programs; manages protected areas and enforces biodiversity conservation regulations aligned with EU directives. ICNF is subject to restructuring (announced May 2026) to strengthen technical independence and field monitoring capacity.
• Municipal and Local Authorities (Aveiro, in particular): Implement waste collection, segregation, treatment, and disposal activities in coordination with national environmental frameworks; participate in EPR scheme implementation and local environmental compliance monitoring.
• Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs): Operate EPR schemes for specific waste streams (packaging, electronics, batteries, etc.); coordinate producer compliance, manage collection systems, and ensure achievement of recycling and recovery targets mandated by Portuguese and EU legislation.

EUROPEAN UNION: 

• European Commission (Directorate-General Environment): Primary regulatory body overseeing EU environmental policy, waste management directives, circular economy framework implementation, and enforcement of environmental standards across all member states.
• European Environment Agency (EEA): Provides independent environmental information, monitors progress toward EU circular economy and climate targets, conducts environmental assessments and reporting.
• Member State Competent Authorities: National environmental ministries and agencies implementing EU directives through national legislation and enforcement mechanisms; coordinate waste management licensing and environmental compliance.

Strategic Alignment & Engagement Framework (Portugal & the EU):

EDTC’s circular economy and digital waste management initiatives are designed to directly support the achievement of the following targets:

PORTUGAL:

• General Waste Management Scheme (Decree-Law 102-D/2020): Supporting 70% material recovery targets for construction and demolition waste; advancing 10% minimum incorporation of recycled materials in infrastructure projects; implementing waste segregation and tracking protocols compliant with APA regulations.
• Climate Law 98/2021 Targets:
  • >55% greenhouse gas emissions reduction by 2030 (referenced to 2005 levels)
  • >65-75% emissions reduction by 2040
  • >90% emissions reduction by 2050
  • Net CO₂ equivalent sink of >13 MtCO₂ in land use and forestry sector (2045-2050)
• Portuguese Circular Economy Action Plan (PACAO): Supporting secondary raw materials integration, waste prevention, recycling promotion, and circular value chain transparency through digital documentation and reporting systems.
• Action Plan for Circularity in Construction Sector (PACCO, 2022): Supporting construction sector transition with digital tools for waste tracking, material reuse optimization, and EPR compliance documentation.
• National Energy and Climate Plan 2030 (PNEC 2030): Advancing decarbonization through digital logistics optimization, renewable energy integration, and circular resource management aligned with Portuguese climate commitments.
• Extended Producer Responsibility Compliance: Full compliance with Portuguese EPR schemes for packaging, electronics, batteries, oils, tires, furniture, and medical self-care products; supporting producer registration, eco-fee payment, and achievement of collection and recycling targets mandated by Decree-Law 152-D/2017.
• Intergovernmental Coordination: Supporting coordination between national ministries, APA, ICNF, municipal authorities, and Producer Responsibility Organizations for aligned implementation of waste management and circular economy objectives.

EUROPEAN UNION:

• Circular Economy Act (2026): Supporting implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility harmonization, secondary raw material market development, and circular design requirements across EU member states.
• EU Circular Economy Targets (2030-2050):
  • Doubling circularity rate from 12% to 24% by 2030
  • Climate neutrality by 2050
  • 55% greenhouse gas emissions reduction by 2030 (referenced to 1990 levels)
  • Net-zero emissions by 2050
• Circular Economy Action Plan Implementation: Supporting product life extension, waste prevention, recycling optimization, and circular value chain transparency through digital platforms.
• Ecodesign and Right to Repair: Facilitating product durability, reparability, and resource efficiency through digital product information systems and supply chain transparency.
• EU Waste Framework Directive Compliance: Full compliance with waste hierarchies, separate collection targets, and circular economy promotion across all waste streams.
• Extended Producer Responsibility Harmonization: Supporting EU-wide EPR system alignment, eco-modulation criteria for circular design, and transparent reporting of producer compliance.

Regional Governance & Stakeholder Alignment:

EDTC engages directly with the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA), the Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests (ICNF), municipal authorities, Producer Responsibility Organizations, and relevant European Commission directorates to strengthen environmental compliance monitoring, data transparency, circular economy implementation, and cross-border sustainability alignment throughout Portugal and across the European Union. Our partnerships support the EU’s transition to a circular, net-zero emissions economy by 2050 and Portugal’s commitment to climate neutrality while advancing resource efficiency, waste valorization, and sustainable digital transformation across all organizational operations and supply chains.

Environmental Policy Framework

For comprehensive details on EDTC’s environmental governance, compliance procedures, incident management, and detailed KPI frameworks, please refer to our Full Environmental Policy Document (comprehensive, detailed version).

Questions or Engagement

For environmental partnerships, project collaboration, government engagement, or sustainability inquiries:

• Email: info@solomonbrokerage.com
• Address: Tornimäe 5, Harju County, 10145 Tallinn, Estonia.