VenhoevenCS goes for future-proof VenhoevenCS architecture + urbanism is the first architectural firm with a level 5 certificate on the CO2 Performance Ladder. Because the organization has been working on sustainability across the board for years, there is a lot of in-house experience and the organization dares to think big. What will cities look like in 50 years? Helga Lasschuijt, General Manager and CO2 manager of the organization, gives her vision on this and explains the role CO2 reduction and circularity play in this development.
The Climate Friendly Procurement & Business Foundation (SKAO) has set up a network to facilitate contracting authorities in using the CO2 Performance Ladder. The idea of the Network is that contracting authorities learn from each other and inspire each other about the possibilities of using the Ladder as a tendering instrument.
Another training "CO2 Performance Ladder for consultants" will take place on 23 September and 16 December. This time the training is based on the recently published Handbook 3.1 and is given by Stichting Stimular and with a contribution from SKAO. As a consultant, would you like to (better) guide organizations in using the CO2 Performance Ladder? Then this training is meant for you.
CO2 emissiefactoren.nl has been making data available for CO2 emission factors and the calculation of CO2 emissions since 2014, after signing the Green Deal. Together with Connekt, MilieuCentraal, SKAO and Stimular, Rijkswaterstaat is now launching the renewed website www.co2emissiefactoren.nl.
With the Rabo Impact Loan, Rabobank gives an interest discount to companies and organizations that do business with a sustainable or social impact. As a certified organization for the CO2 Performance Ladder, you receive an interest discount from level 3 up to 0.65%.
The first event of the Network Procurement CO2 Performance Ladder took place on Thursday 22 June. The recently launched Network was created to allow contracting authorities to make more impact when it comes to CO2 reduction. "More impact through collaboration," said Monique Bollen, the network's leading figure.
According to the report of the Remkes Committee, nitrogen emissions must be halved in the next ten years to improve the state of Dutch nature. The construction sector will also have to invest in sustainable measures to meet the nitrogen ambitions of the Remkes Commission.
On June 22, 2020, the Climate Friendly Procurement & Business Foundation (SKAO) published Handbook 3.1 of the CO2 Performance Ladder. The new Handbook has become a more efficient standard and pays more attention to projects in which clients and companies collaborate on CO2 reduction.
Handbook 3.1, the successor to Handbook 3.0, was published on 22 June. SKAO interviews Jeroen Gijzen and Huub Groenenberg, two members of the Central Board of Experts (CCvD). The CCvD makes the amendment decisions about the Manual. One of the pillars of Handbook 3.1 is the 'more efficient standard'. What is meant by this and what role have they played in this?
Handbook 3.1, the successor to Handbook 3.0, will be published on 22 June. SKAO interviews members of the Central Board of Experts (CCvD) about the creation of the new Handbook. Harald Versteeg (independent chairman), Maud Vastbinder (project leader Handbook 3.1) and Tijmen de Groot (secretary) have their say. Why has a new manual been published and how do you get support from so many parties?
Handbook 3.1 of the CO2 Performance Ladder was published on 22 June 2020. From this moment on it is possible for organizations to be certified in accordance with the new standard. What does this mean for contracting authorities and buyers?
Handbook 3.1, the successor to Handbook 3.0, will be published on 22 June. SKAO interviews Charlotte Pars (ProRail), Stefan Daamen (Heijmans) and Maarten Neelis (Rijkswaterstaat), members of the Central Board of Experts ( CCvD ), about the project file in Handbook 3.1. What is that, and more importantly, what's in it for us?
Gww contractor Ploegam, certified at level 5 on the CO2 Performance Ladder, has developed a 30-ton crawler excavator together with Doosan importer Staad and electrification company UMS. An interchangeable battery pack must ensure that the machine can be used 24/7. The three companies will immediately launch three battery-electric excavators: a 2-ton mini, a 16-ton tire crane and the 30-ton crawler excavator. The machines are also for sale for other companies.
Not only the Dutch government provides incentives to stimulate circular procurement and tendering. The EU is also taking steps towards a circular economy. Europe already presented a first action plan in 2015. This month, the EU announced a new action plan for a European circular economy entitled "For a cleaner and more competitive Europe."
Construction company van Gelder, certified at level 5 on the CO2 Performance Ladder, reports that it is about to order two earth-moving machines from the South Korean manufacturer Hyundai. The innovative construction machines operate emission-free and run on hydrogen instead of diesel.
Organizations are taking more and more measures to make the construction site and the equipment used there more sustainable. For example, the focus is on the in-house generation of electricity, the application of alternative fuels and the electrification of vehicles and equipment. This is evident from the Report of Measure List 2019, drawn up by SQ Consult, on behalf of SKAO.
The European Commission has put forward plans with the Green Deal to combat climate change. The Green Deal is intended to ensure that the European Union becomes climate neutral by 2050. To achieve this objective, a road map is being drawn up with a package of measures for a sustainable energy transition. SKAO would like to contribute to the Green Deal with the CO2 Performance Ladder and has written a letter to Frans Timmermans, Vice-President of the European Commission. The Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management has written a accompanying letter in which it endorses the importance of the CO2 Performance Ladder.
In the context of the study "Towards a climate neutral infrastructure sector in the Netherlands" that SKAO conducted in collaboration with TU Delft, a business case on sustainable asphalt has been highlighted. This business case can be seen in a film in which the results of the study are also mentioned. View the movie here.
The board of SKAO has reduced the annual contribution for CO2 Performance Ladder certified companies.
Together with Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research and the environmental consultancy CE Delft, the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment has developed a method to determine the effect of circular procurement on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and saving resources.
For the CO2 Performance Ladder, 2019 was dominated by opportunities, impact and growth. From the start of the sustainability instrument in 2010, 950 certificates have now been obtained. Nearly 150 new registrations were added in 2019 and a total of eight governments were certified. More governments will follow when we look forward to the award of the 1000th certificate on the CO2 Performance Ladder in 2020!
Haasnoot Bruggen is certified at level 3 of the CO2 Performance Ladder. After making the electricity more sustainable, the bridge builder started looking for other measures to reduce CO2 and reduce the environmental impact of the organization. That is why Haasnoot Bruggen ended up with Basic Office Solutions, a company that offers sustainable printing solutions and thus saves 92 percent CO2 emissions. SKAO spoke with both Haasnoot Bruggen and Basic Office Solutions about this energy-saving printing technique.
The municipality of Arnhem has recently obtained a certificate on the CO2 Performance Ladder. With this, the municipality strives to fulfill its exemplary role in the transition to green energy and sustainability. A certificate on the Ladder makes it possible to manage CO2 reduction both within business operations and on projects.
From the TÜV Certifying Institute, the directors of the municipality of Arnhem, labor development company Scalabor and Sportbedrijf Arnhem today received an official certificate confirming that they are taking significant steps to reduce CO2 emissions in their business operations. This makes Arnhem the first large municipality in the Netherlands to receive such a certificate. Arnhems ambition is to reduce CO2 emissions by 40% in 2023 compared to 2018.
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.
In the coming years, Belgian governments will experiment in their tenders with the CO2 Performance Ladder. Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels will take part in the experiments with the CO2 management system. When the results of the pilot phase turn out to be positive, then the Ladder will become the norm for Belgian governments.
The construction sector is able to reduce carbon emissions with, among other things, the reuse of building materials and more efficient machinery.
Sustainability is particularly high on the agenda of Dutch water boards. With things like green energy, sustainable innovations and sustainable procurement, they have been playing an exemplary role for years. Seven water boards are now preparing for the next ambitious step: certification on the CO2 Performance Ladder.
Since 2016, a certificate for the CO2 Performance Ladder from level 3 has been used as an alternative to the European Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) Energy audit obligation. This validity has been extended again.
Until 2022, the Flemish government is experimenting with the CO2 performance ladder for public procurement. In concrete terms, companies that reduce their CO2 emissions will have a greater chance of winning government contracts.
As a society, we are increasingly in contact with each other, thanks to the internet and our mobile phones. VolkerWessels Telecom is responsible for the networks that make this connectivity possible, from underground copper and fiber optic cables to antennas and transmission towers. The company is certified on level 4 of the CO2 Performance Ladder.
On Wednesday, April 10, the kick-off of the Community of Practice CO2 Performance Ladder for Water Boards was given. No fewer than seven water boards will start using the CO2 Performance Ladder. These frontrunners are in a select, but fast-growing group: the Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management, the province of Gelderland and the municipalities of Barneveld and Renkum already have a CO2 Performance Ladder certificate.
Construction company Rutte Group has been certified for years on level 5 of the CO2 Performance Ladder. Sven Hiskemuller van der Zijden, sustainability consultant for Rutte Groep, therefore dares to state that the sustainable ambitions of the company were partly achieved by the CO2 Performance Ladder. "The Ladder has set it all in motion."
With five employees, Arie Arts Landscaping is a relatively small SME in the green sector. However, that does not mean that there are no opportunities in terms of CO2 reduction and sustainability. The green company went to work with the CO2 Performance Ladder and has now been certified at level 3.
Since 2016, Meerlanden Holding has been certified at level 3 of the CO2 Performance Ladder. The company strives for both CO2 reduction and circularity, whereby waste flows are returned to the chain as much as possible. To achieve its ambitious goals in the field of CO2 reduction and circularity, the company makes use of the CO2 Performance Ladder, among other things, to gain valuable insights. SKAO discussed this with Meerlanden.
The German IT corporation Bechtle has recently been certified on level 3 of the CO2 Performance Ladder. The activities of the organisations that fall under the umbrella of Bechtle, vary from developing a wireless IT infrastructure to building digital work places. With a certificate on the CO2 Performance Ladder, Bechtle aims not only to structurally reduce its carbon emissions, but also to collaborate more effectively with all its entities to achieve common goals of sustainability.
As the first Dutch province with a certificate on the CO2 Performance Ladder, the province of Gelderland aims to become carbon neutral, climate neutral and waste free by the year 2030. The province knows that more efforts are required to achieve these ambitious goals than solely tackling the energy streams of their buildings. With the help of the CO2 Performance Ladder, Gelderland expects to not only accelerate their transition to sustainability, but also to come up with concrete solutions that will be accessible and applicable in all layers of the organisation.
Meat processer Bolscher from the Dutch city of Enschede has been certified on the CO2 Performance Ladder level 3 since 2018. The company is the first of its kind to work with the CO2 Performance Ladder on reducing its carbon emissions. In order to cut back their carbon emissions, the company invested in electric vehicles and energy efficient cooling systems, among other things. Furthermore, Bolscher seeks opportunities to increase its market share of vegetarian products. This too will lead to less carbon emissions.
The Dutch construction company Heijmans has collaborated alongside research organisation ECN part of TNO, Solar Energy Application Centre (SEAC) and the Dutch municipality of Uden to develop the pilot project Solar Highways. In this project, an initiative from the Dutch ministry of Infrastructure and Water management and Rijkswaterstaat, the parties have developed a traffic noise barrier that contains double sided solar panels to generate green electricity. The noise barrier is installed along the A50 high way of the city of Uden.
The Dutch company Loonbedrijf Van Diepen has been certified on the CO2 Performance Ladder since 2014. The organisation specializes in greenery, horticulture and livestock farming, among other things. It focuses on activities such as maintenance of public greenery across roads and highways and landscaping. With a certificate on the CO2 Performance Ladder, Van Diepen aims to gain insights in its carbon emissions and structurally reduce the CO2 caused by its business activities.
The Dutch province of Gelderland has been certified on level 3 of the CO2 Performance Ladder. It is the 900th organisation certified on the Ladder. Deputy Jan Markink of the province has accepted the certificate on Wednesday the 13th of February. With the implementation CO2 Performance Ladder, the province has made further developments towards becoming a climate neutral organisation.
