The project aims to promote sustainable production and consumption using the example of olive oil, for the minimization of environmental impacts, especially in areas with high olive oil production. This project is a continuation of a previous LIFE project (ECOIL, LIFE04 ENV/GR/110) implemented by the coordinating beneficiary, which assessed the environmental impacts generated during all stages of the olive oil life cycle and proposed measures to prevent or reduce these impacts. The project seeks to communicate these results, to inform and educate the stakeholders (producers, etc.) on the measures they can take to reduce environmental impacts associated with their activities and generally to promote the ecological olive oil production. In addition, a basic goal is to inform consumers about the benefits arising from the use of products produced following environmental principles. The program aims to fill the gap in consumers’ awareness and highlight the added value to the environment by consuming green products, focusing on olive oil.

Through the promotion of sustainable production and consumption patterns, the program will highlight the importance of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for the identification and prevention of environmental impacts. The environmental impacts of olive oil production and consumption include air emissions, waste water, solid waste, etc. The dissemination activities of the program as educational seminars, informative workshops, etc. promote important issues of the European and Greek environmental policy and legislation, such as:

• Promotion of life cycle thinking during the production and consumption processes
• Promotion of environmental impacts prevention
• Promotion of the preservation of natural resources, water and energy
• Promotion of the implementation of Best Available Techniques in production processes
• Promotion of sustainable waste management
• Promotion of the reduction of greenhouse gases, via the utilization of less energy intensive practises
• Promotion of soil, surface and groundwater protection
• Promotion of “green products”

There are two main target audience: consumers and producers. The dissemination volume will be equally distributed among these two axis. Consumers will be informed about the importance of sustainable production and the biological products. Producers will be informed around several aspects regarding the cultivation and production phase. The dissemination activities will inform governmental authorities, local authorities and other relevant organizations about the importance of sustainable production and consumption. Among others, this project aims at recruiting new producers and attracting as much as possible consumers.