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On Tuesday 8 April, the International Olive Council (IOC) reinforced its commitment to supporting sustainability in the olive sector by opening its headquarters to host the 2nd edition of the AEMO Awards for the Best Environmental Management of Olive Groves and Mills in Spain. Organised by the Spanish Association of Olive Municipalities (AEMO by its Spanish acronym) — which brings together 160 olive-growing municipalities and provinces across the country — this competition recognises the most outstanding examples of environmental management in olive groves and olive mills.
The awards ceremony was attended by key institutional figures, including Jaime Lillo, IOC Executive Director; Francisco Reyes, President of the Diputación de Jaén (Jaén Provincial Council) and AEMO Vice-President of AEMO; and Lola Amo, Mayor of Montoro and AEMO President, among other authorities.
In his address, IOC Executive Director Jaime Lillo welcomed participants to the IOC headquarters and highlighted the growing importance of sustainability for the future of the olive sector.
“Today we celebrate the pioneers of our sector — those most committed to environmental stewardship. Building on the success of the olive oil and health narrative, it is now time to strengthen the link between olive growing, sustainability and climate change. The IOC is proud to support initiatives that recognise and promote the vital environmental services provided by the olive grove,” he said.
The President of AEMO, Lola Amo, after thanking the IOC for its hospitality, stated:
“The olive grove is the most sustainable crop in the Mediterranean, being the largest cultivated forest. Through these awards, AEMO aims to communicate to consumers the unique value of this crop, which contributes the most to the fight against climate change.”
The President of the Diputación de Jaén, Francisco Reyes, highlighted:
“It is a source of pride for our province to have companies like Castillo de Canena, which from their beginnings have helped elevate the province’s extra virgin olive oils among the best in the world, demonstrating that Jaén stands for not only quantity, but also quality.”
This edition of the AEMO Awards recognised three outstanding examples of sustainable excellence. Cortijo Guadiana, located in Úbeda, and the regenerative estate El Valle del Conde in Luque, shared the award for Spain’s most sustainable olive grove. Meanwhile, Oro del Desierto, based in Tabernas, received the prize for the most sustainable olive mill. Their pioneering approaches to resource management, biodiversity conservation, and innovation serve as a benchmark for the sector as it advances towards a greener, more resilient future.
The IOC remains committed to supporting initiatives that promote sustainability, innovation and excellence across the global olive sector.
