ECOPROFIT

Programme for sustainable economic development

Munich's active part

In Germany the diffusion of ECOPROFIT is quite a success story. Ever since the first ECOPROFIT workshop held in Munich in 1998, more than 110 cities and more than 4.200 companies have successfully realised ECOPROFIT in Germany.  Munich is taking the active part of counceling and giving advice to other cities, Agenda 21-initiatives and companies. The City of Munich is coordinating the ECOPROFIT-network in Germany and is handing out updated and extended materials for use in workshops and for submission by the participating companies. 

Partnership to save resources and cut costs

ECOPROFIT supports the development of activities focused on corporate energy and resource management to ease the burden on the environment and cut costs. It is operated in the form of a public-private partnership: First, local authorities join the ECOPROFIT initiative and in a second step, local firms sign a co-operation contract with an external consultant. This strong co-operation between local authorities, businesses and consultants enables an effective flow of information and promotes proactive environmental strategies.

Well-established in environmental management

The programme is the leading product within existing environmental management approaches for small and medium companies and has been accepted as a pre-stage to a full audit according to the Eco Management and Audit Scheme III. Its service covers the full variety of environmental aspects like water, waste and mobility management as well as air pollution and energy and climate issues. With ECOPROFIT companies can achieve climate neutrality. Very importantly, as part of the programme a check with legal requirements in the field of energy and the environment is provided.

Development perspective

The permanent further development of the project is of central importance. Each year the participating local authorities meet and discuss new ideas. Also, each year the material for use in the workshops and for submission by the participating companies is updated and extended.

Eco-innovation network

An important factor in the success of ECOPROFIT are the standardised common training programmes and networking platforms. The development of environmental measures is achieved in workshop sessions and direct visits of the consultants in the participating firms. The free exchange of information between companies works as an engine for the individual development of environmental and climate protection measures. Simultaneously this exchange is the unique selling proposition of ECOPROFIT. As an eco-innovation network it promotes proactive environmental strategies of small and medium enterprises. In particular, the ECOPROFIT club is recognised as an opportunity to ensure continuous learning in the field of the environment, monitor future opportunities for eco-innovation of products, production and organisational processes and to expand the business network. Since 2021 ECOPROFIT companies also benefit from the sustainable and digital solutions provided by green start-up companies of the Munich Urban Colab Community. The Munich Urban Colab is an innovation centre co-founded by UnternehmerTUM and the City of Munich with the goal of providing solutions for urban challenges, among them also environmental and climate challenges.

Economically and ecologically successful

As both an economically and ecologically successful local business instrument the implementation of ECOPROFIT is recommened on a wider European level.