HORTICERT Returns to IPM Essen 2025
Our HORTICERT team returned to the International Plant Fair (IPM) ESSEN 2025 for the second time, reaffirming its commitment to advancing sustainable and peat-free substrates in horticulture. The IPM has established itself as a key platform for the international exchange of ideas and innovations in horticulture and has proved to be particularly eventful for HORTICERT once again this year. This leading industry event provided an invaluable opportunity to engage with leading experts, partners and new stakeholders, fostering meaningful discussions on the future of certification and sustainability in the sector.
This year’s event was marked by inspiring exchanges with longstanding project partners, companies newly interested in certification, industry leaders and new stakeholders. The enthusiasm surrounding sustainable growing media was evident, with a strong focus on the transparency of supply chains and greenhouse gas emissions of peat substitutes and substrates.
Among the event’s highlights, some of the first companies to receive HORTICERT certification showcased their credentials. Gramoflor GmbH & Co. KG and Eifelholz-AG integrated the HORTICERT logo into their booth designs, reinforcing their commitment to sustainability.
Another major milestone was the introduction of the first peat-free substrate packaging. toom Baumarkt provided HORTICERT with foils for the first certified peat-free potting soils, which will soon be available in their stores. This allowed the team to highlight the new packaging during the event, demonstrating the tangible impact of certification on product development.
Our senior project manager, Julia Ostrowski, took the stage at the Innovation Center for Horticultural Technology to present “HORTICERT is ready — certification for sustainable substrates and transparent supply chains.” She shared the latest advancements within HORTICERT, highlighting the growing importance of certified sustainable substrates and their role in shaping a more responsible horticulture industry.
“The IPM was a complete success for us,” says Julia Ostrowski, reflecting on the event’s success. “Through our presentation at the Innovation Center for Horticultural Technology and the support of our system users, we were able to reach and hopefully convince many new companies. The great interest in sustainable materials in substrates and the generally positive feedback once again underlined the importance of certification for sustainable substrate production. We will continue to develop HORTICERT in close cooperation with our stakeholders.”
In addition to our project managers, the company’s managing director, Dr. Norbert Schmitz, was also present and engaged in discussions on the future of sustainable horticulture. His participation underscored the importance of certification in driving industry-wide change and promoting environmentally responsible practices.
As IPM ESSEN continues to serve as a key platform for shaping the future of horticulture, HORTICERT is excited to be part of the movement toward more sustainable growing media and certification solutions. The event reaffirmed its commitment to innovation, collaboration and the ongoing development of transparent, sustainable supply chains in horticulture. HORTICERT looks forward to continuing these important conversations and driving further progress in the industry.
Header image (from left): Markus Bockholt and Julia Ostrowski (both from Meo Carbon Solutions GmbH) at the HORTICERT booth next to the first peat-free substrate packaging provided by toom Baumarkt.
The Food Security Standard Hosts Panel at the 2025 Global Forum for Food and Agriculture
Leaders, policymakers and experts from more than 80 countries convened in Berlin for the 2025 Global Forum for Food and Agriculture (GFFA), where the Food Security Standard (FSS) held a panel on aligning sustainable biomass production with human rights and food security.
Meo Carbon Solutions‘ project manager, Lisa Marie Pyka, moderated the panel discussion on „Aligning Biomass Production With HRDD and Local Food Security: Practical Approaches.“
The panel brought together a diverse range of perspectives—legal, academic, standard owners, companies and social auditors—to create a dynamic dialogue. The key takeaway from the panel is that collaboration across supply chains is essential for effective human rights due diligence (HRDD) fulfilment. No single actor can bear the responsibility alone—shared responsibility and aligned compliance mechanisms are the way forward.
Three core insights emerged from the discussion:
- Farmer organisations need more support; they cannot shoulder all compliance costs alone.
- Companies also require guidance to efficiently navigate regulatory requirements.
- Certification is a powerful tool for supporting companies on their sustainability journey.
Max Jürgens, a lawyer for trade compliance at Cattwyk and one of our panellists, best summarised these ideas:
- Sustainability Certifications are a Tool, Not a Magic Fix: Certifications are vital in ensuring accountability but are not without challenges. Conflicts of interest and weak governance in on-site inspections can undermine their credibility. We need robust systems to strengthen trust and reliability.
- HRDD is a Shared Responsibility: Suppliers in the Global South work tirelessly to meet compliance standards, but they cannot bear the weight of these expectations alone. Collaboration and cost-sharing are essential to foster equitable partnerships and sustainable outcomes.
- HRDD is a Marathon, Not a Sprint: Change takes time. Quick fixes like „cut-and-run“ approaches do more harm than good. Long-term engagement and support are key to driving meaningful and lasting improvements in supply chains.
To highlight the closing words from Swantje Nilsson from the Bundesministerium für Ernährung und Landwirtschaft (BMEL): „To scale up social sustainability, we need long-term commitment from companies and local producers. Addressing human rights risks, particularly the right to food, is not just ethical—it’s smart business.“
You can watch the full panel on YouTube.
We would like to extend a special thanks to our panelists and speakers: Lisa Marie Pyka (Meo Carbon Solutions), Dr. Rafaël Schneider (Welthungerhilfe (WHH)), Dr. Jan Henke (Meo Carbon Solutions), Theresa Heering (WHH), Professor Dr. Lena Partzsch (Freie Universität Berlin), Max Jürgens (Cattwyk), Pia Lorenz (4C Services), Benedetta Camilli (Eni), Michael K. (independent auditor) and Swantje Nilsson (BMEL).
The CLEVER Project: Transforming Emission Calculations for a More Sustainable Transport Sector
As part of our commitment to environmental sustainability, Meo Carbon Solutions proudly supports the CLEVER project—an initiative dedicated to reshaping how greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are calculated across the transportation sector. Through collaboration with a diverse consortium of international partners, CLEVER is pioneering a credible and standardized approach to emission factors for all transport modes, fuel types and production methods.
Harmonizing Emission Factors for Global Impact
The CLEVER project aims to establish a globally applicable, harmonized framework for GHG emission factors. This framework will address both freight and passenger transport sectors, covering a comprehensive range of fuel types—from conventional fuels to emerging energy sources not yet documented in existing databases. By establishing these industry-wide standards, CLEVER will provide a consistent basis for accurate, transparent emission calculations, which are essential for effective emission management across the sector.
In addition to covering a broad spectrum of fuels, CLEVER’s methodology framework considers the entire energy lifecycle, from production through to end-use. This comprehensive approach ensures that emissions are measured consistently and accurately—reflecting true environmental impacts. Such robust standards will support both policymakers and businesses in regulatory compliance, operational efficiency and sustainable growth.
An International Consortium for Sustainable Transport
The CLEVER project draws on the expertise of an international network of partners, including the Institut für Energie- und Umweltforschung Heidelberg gGmbH (ifeu), Smart Freight Centre, GreenRouter, Emisia SA, PNO Consultants, Alliance for Logistics Innovation through Collaboration in Europe (ALICE), Three o’clock, UITP, Ricardo plc and ZN. Together, we are working to build a unified foundation for sustainable transport, leveraging each partner’s specialized knowledge to shape a framework that will drive long-lasting impact.
As a sustainability consultancy with experience in GHG emissions calculation and sustainability certification, Meo Carbon Solutions brings insight and expertise to the CLEVER project. Our contributions support the project’s goal to create an actionable, adaptable framework that promotes both environmental responsibility and industry alignment with global sustainability goals.
The CLEVER Repository: A Hub for Emission Knowledge
One of the CLEVER project’s cornerstone resources is the CLEVER Repository. This platform consolidates essential resources on emission factors, scientific publications and relevant legislation. Designed with accessibility and usability in mind, this platform provides stakeholders with the insights they need to make informed decisions in sustainable transport. By centralizing knowledge, the CLEVER Repository supports CLEVER’s mission to empower the industry with tools to reduce emissions and advance sustainable practices across the transportation sector.
This platform is now live, offering easy access to information that can drive transformation in sustainable transport practices.
Interested? You can join the CLEVER Repository. A step-by-step guide is also available to help make the enrollment process as smooth as possible.
A Path Forward with CLEVER
Meo Carbon Solutions, together with our partners, is proud to be part of the CLEVER project—a significant step toward a greener, more sustainable transportation industry. We remain committed to providing expertise and support as the project continues to develop innovative solutions for emission reduction. Through CLEVER, we are paving the way for an environmentally responsible future in transport.
Stay connected with us for more updates as we continue our journey toward sustainable change in the transportation sector.
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation program under grant agreement N° 101146908.
