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CO2 Performance Ladder internationally named as best practice for the transport and logistics sector

The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and Smart Freight Center have published a report with guidelines for socially responsible procurement in the transport and logistics sector: the Sustainable Freight Procurement (SFP) Guidelines. The CO2 Performance Ladder is herein referred to as a best practice to limit the CO2 emissions of tenders in the sector.

The guideline as a practical tool

The writers of the SFP Guidelines state that large organizations set CO2 reduction targets for the entire business. When it comes to transport and logistics of the business activities, Smart Freight Center sees that the organizations mainly seek cooperation with their suppliers in reducing CO2 emissions. Both the Smart Freight Center and the WBCSD see opportunities for the organizations to take more measures that lead to CO2 reduction within the transport of goods. This was one of the reasons for the creation of the SFP Guidelines.

"WBCSD and our member companies are working to find solutions to accelerate the decarbonization of all sectors to net-zero climate impact," said Maria Mediluce, Managing Director of WBCSD, in a press release. "The Guidelines are a practical tool for companies to integrate low-carbon transport decision criteria into existing procurement processes and send a market signal to the freight and logistics sector."

You can download the SFP Guidelines for socially responsible procurement (SRI) in the transport and logistics sector here.

Best practice: the Ladder

The SFP Guidelines include practical measures that build on experiences with sustainability within business operations, and best practices that show where the opportunities lie for CO2 reduction. Organizations can then use these examples to identify where the challenges lie for CO2 reduction and take action by implementing the right measures to reduce CO2 emissions from transport and logistics.

Annemiek Lauwerijssen, manager of the Climate Friendly Procurement and Business Foundation (SKAO): "We are delighted that the CO2 Performance Ladder has been designated as best practice for sustainable procurement by these renowned international parties, in order to stimulate the sustainability of the transport and logistics sector."

Van der Stelt talks about the CO2 Performance Ladder

The CO2 Performance Ladder, for example, has been included in the SFP Guidelines as a concrete CO2 reduction best practice with a highlighted business case from transport company Van der Stelt. The company has been certified since 2017 on level 3 of the CO2 Performance Ladder. In addition to transporting goods from third parties, the organization specializes in supplying high-quality liquid fertilizers.

Van der Stelt is active in the agricultural sector and in the infrastructure sector with the transport, trade and distribution of fertilizers. The transport company was previously able to win a tender with an award advantage by means of the CO2 Performance Ladder. The project concerns the transport of sludge for the Dutch water management organisation Hoogheemraadschap Hollands Noorderkwartier (HHNK). For this, Van der Stelt takes CO2 reducing measures in consultation with the client. An example of the measures is the application of HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil), a clean fuel consisting of residual oils, such as used vegetable fat.

According to the transport company, the CO2 Performance Ladder has made sustainability a topic for discussion both within business operations and in projects. In addition, it will be possible for the transport company to take concrete measures that actually deliver CO2 reduction.