“This is why companies need to work faster than ever to decarbonise their value chains. Signing the Climate Pledge is a positive action, because those companies that have signed up (more than 200 to date) – to commit to net-zero carbon by 2040 – will be helping turn our climate crisis into climate action.”
One of the key areas within Vanderlande’s sustainability strategy is ‘zero carbon footprint’, which is about how the company can transform its ways of working to reduce or eliminate emissions. This includes the emissions produced from internal operations, sourcing (suppliers), solutions (customers) and the wider society.
“We have identified many opportunities in which Vanderlande will improve through the use of renewables, green gas and alternative heating methods,” adds David. “However, climate change is a global crisis that can only be tackled in collaboration. As such, our strategy features KPIs regarding our suppliers, which will drive the capabilities necessary for Vanderlande to assess them on sustainability and carbon footprints.
“We also engage with our customers and partners in order to align our sustainability ambitions. In addition, we are working together to embed initiatives within future projects and take the necessary steps towards a more sustainable future.”
Vanderlande is already making considerable progress in various sustainability activities. One of the most recognisable examples is its new office ‘Building 60’, which has a BREEAM ‘outstanding’ certification. Other initiatives include a forest planting programme, installing over 2,500 solar panels at the company’s headquarters in Veghel, and purchasing green electricity at various sites in Germany and The Netherlands.
“When it comes to climate change, Vanderlande has a prominent role to play,” concludes David. “I see companies such as ours as instruments that can channel resources into doing the right thing, and I am confident that we will meet the requirements of the Climate Pledge.”