High CO2 reduction incites us to adjust targets

We are aiming for various Scope 1, 2 and 3 reduction targets on the basis of a variety of measures. This way we contribute to the UN’s SDGs 12, 13 and 15. We achieved our reduction through various means, including changes to our lease regulations, promoting the electric car option, the use of the Dutch National Railways (NS) Business Card and the use of bicycles, introducing Goodfuels, closing an obsolete asphalt plant and encouraging working from home by office personnel. We use various means to make colleagues aware of the importance of CO2 reduction and their own potential contributions.

Sustainable Mobility

The emissions from our lease cars and company cars account for more than half of our emissions. In addition, there are the emissions of personal cars, commuting and public transport. This is why we continue to focus on measures aimed at sustainable mobility. This includes encouraging the use of bicycles, public transportation, online meetings and increasing the proportion of electric cars in our leased vehicle fleet.

We are making preparations for a pilot with electric vans as a means of reducing the emissions of company cars. Through our participation in the Anders Reizen [Alternative Travel] coalition we are actively working on making mobility more sustainable, not only within our own company, but also beyond. We are actively participating in two Anders Reizen coalition working groups. First, the ‘International Train’ working group, which aims to make train travel more attractive to international business passengers. Second, we participate in the newly created ‘Van’ working group. The objective of this group is to exchange knowledge and experience relating to making vans sustainable.

Machinery

Machinery accounts for just under 10% of our emissions. This is a good reason for us to focus on this area as well, with the added benefit that this also contributes to creating a healthier workplace (improved air quality, less noise and vibrations). Our goal: an annual CO2 reduction of 5% in our own machinery in comparison to the previous year.

In 2021, we once again actively participated in the transition paths work sessions on sustainable construction sites, construction logistics and the reuse of building materials, organised by the Directorate-General for Public Works and Water Management (Rijkswaterstaat), the Ministry of Infrastructure & Water Management and ProRail. These sessions also dealt with the topic of machinery and sustainability. In addition, we investigated sustainable alternatives for small mechanical tools. We will evaluate our findings in 2022. As part of an internship assignment we investigated the energy needs of the Zevenbergen project, including the sustainability measures that could have been implemented, and that can also be applied in future projects. A specific example of this is the calculation model for sustainable power generators that is currently being used by Strukton Rail’s tender organisation.

We have entered into agreements with lessors and leasing companies about the sustainability of equipment and are working on the electrification of Strukton Civiel’s small equipment. The asphalt plant in Schagen has been fully decommissioned. Asphalt is acquired from plants closest to the project site, thus reducing emissions from transport. At the Strukton yard in Nieuwedijk we applied our own olivin-based loose-fill surfacing. This is expected to result in a 20-tonne CO2 reduction.

CO2 reduction within the chain

Aside from our own CO2 footprint, we also reduce CO2 emissions within the chain. We do this together with governments, other companies and authorities. We have formulated a number of objectives and implemented measures in a number of chains, including Paris Proof, rail ballast, mobility, concrete and asphalt. The report contains more information about the results.

Sector Initiatives

We also proactively participate in other – sometimes more general – initiatives. This includes the Anders Reizen [Alternative Travel] coalition, EnergieRijk Den Haag [The Hague energy reduction in government buildings] Green City Deal, the Malieveldverklaring [for emission-free building, development and design], the Duurzame Leverancier [Sustainable Supplier], Solaroad, Asphalt Impuls and Emissieloos Netwerk Infra [Emission-Free Network Infrastructure]. In 2021 we made preparations for participating in Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking (EU Rail) research programme, one of the initiatives with which Europe aims to accelerate the transition to a green Europe.