The meeting was held to keep all participants informed about each other’s projects, fostering idea exchange, meaningful discussion, and reflection on the impact of the work to date. To start, attendees gave brief introductions during a roundtable session to bring everyone up to speed.
This was then followed by an overview of the REEValue project, presented by Gabriel Cassar, Head of Projects and Sustainability at Malta Business Bureau (MBB).
The REEValue project aims to generate value-chain collaborations amongst businesses in target NACE codes, through which energy efficiency (EE) and renewable energy (RES) opportunities
will be identified and implemented. A live demonstration of the REEValue tool showcased how it enables users to identify potential investment areas that can lead to increased operational efficiency and cost savings, while also supporting compliance with sustainability regulations. To function effectively, the tool requires basic information about the business’s activities, as well as supplementary data typically found in economic and sustainability reports, often obtained through an energy audit, however this is not essential. Further to this, if the user is based in one of the six partner countries, the tool will also recommend financing schemes that are available to businesses in that particular country.
Following the REEValue session, several ongoing initiatives aimed at supporting businesses in their energy transition were presented:
– LIFE EcoSMEnergy (Birgit Arens): This project focuses on improving energy efficiency in SMEs, particularly within the chemical and pharmaceutical sectors. It aims to support these businesses in identifying and implementing cost-effective energy-saving measures through training, capacity building, and tailored tools, facilitating their transition to more sustainable operations. Preparations are currently underway for the development of training materials and events centered on energy management systems, with active business engagement expected to commence next year
– LIFE BETTED Project (Simone Zanoni): The BETTED project aims to accelerate the energy transition within the dairy value chain by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing energy performance. This is being achieved through the development of a specialized toolbox, capacity-building initiatives, and a series of in-person events to support sustainable practices in the sector.
– LIFE EENova (Benjamin Englert):LIFE EENova is dedicated to enhancing energy efficiency across regional food processing value chains with additional focus on logistics and packaging. The project seeks to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions in sectors such as bakery, meat, dairy, beverages, and wine. It does so through comprehensive energy audits, customized action plans, and policy recommendations aimed at fostering long-term, energy-smart practices.
Overall, the meeting provided a collaborative platform for sharing EU project developments, tools, and approaches, with a shared goal of promoting sustainable business practices and energy transition across various sectors and regions.
