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CO2 report 2022- Broader scope and reduced emissions

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broader scope and reduced emissions

Date

06 April 2023

Expertise

Sustainability

Our work on sustainable infrastructure in Europe has impact on the climate. Actively reducing CO2 emissions in our own operations and in the chain has been an important target in our sustainability policy for over 15 years. We are reporting about CO2 reduction every 6 months. We started to do so for the Netherlands and Sweden seperately, and added Belgium to the reporting structue in 2021. In line with our strategic roadmap, we are including the figures of our operations in the Nordics (Sweden and Denmark) and Italy in the Strukton Groep reporting as of 2022. Together, we reduced our CO2 emissions by 9.4% in 2022.

In 2022, the main steps to reduce CO2 emissions were made in mobility (we are increasingly driving electric cars), in our production (closing an asphalt production unit had impact in particular) and with our machines & equipment (also portfolio company Terracon’s machines have transferred to biofuels).

At project level

We are active with reduction measures at company level and at project level. Several long-term projects have charging stations and bicycles (e.g. in Groningen and Delft-Rijswijk) and we facilitate overnight stays at hotels. We reuse materials where possible. Some examples: We have reused parts of switches from the Amsterdam Dijksgracht project in our maintenance contract PGO De Wadden, the focus in the project for water authority Noorderzijlvest is on circularity and Strukton Rail Short Line gives rails, sleepers, ballast or other parts a second life.

In the chain

Initiatives we take together with our chain partners to reduce emissions in the chain are at least as important as reducing our own emissions. We actively participate in the Coalition Anders Reizen (Travel Differently, have initiated the chain dialogue Sustainable Railways in the Netherlands (Duurzaam Spoor), are friends of Groene Koers (Green Course) and take part in the Emissieloos Netwerk Infra (Emission-free Network Infra).
Infographic CO2 report 2022

CO2 Progress Report 2022

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Frequently asked questions

Find answers to frequently asked questions here.

What does sustainability mean in the rail and civil infrastructure sector?

Sustainability in rail and civil engineering focuses on reducing environmental impact across the entire lifecycle of infrastructure. This includes using emission‑free equipment, circular and recycled materials, and designing assets with a longer lifespan and lower maintenance requirements. Reusing structural components—such as circular viaduct beams or recycled copper contact wires for overhead lines—significantly reduces CO₂ emissions while conserving valuable raw materials.

How can CO₂ emissions be reduced in infrastructure projects?

CO₂‑reduction is achieved through a combination of clean construction methods and material innovation. Key strategies include:

  • Deploying zero‑emission machinery such as electric cranes, electric rail‑road vehicles (Krols), electric vans and battery‑powered locomotives.
  • Integrating circular concrete, geopolymer concrete, and recycled materials to lower embodied carbon.
  • Collaborating across the supply chain — from client to contractor to materials supplier — to scale circular and low‑carbon solutions.

These measures not only reduce carbon emissions but help create more resilient, future‑proof infrastructure.

Which sustainable innovations are being used in modern rail and civil engineering projects?

Infrastructure projects increasingly rely on advanced sustainable technologies, such as:

  • 100% recycled copper contact wire, reducing CO₂ emissions by up to 92%.
  • Geopolymer concrete, offering 50–80% CO₂ savings compared to traditional mixes.
  • Electric and battery‑powered locomotives for maintenance and logistics.
  • Circular overhead‑line foundations and poles made from low‑impact concrete.
  • The Energy Bank, an innovative click‑and‑go substation that captures and reuses regenerative braking energy.
  • Circular viaduct and bridge concepts, enabling reuse instead of demolition.

These innovations drive measurable environmental benefits throughout the asset lifecycle.

What is zero‑emission equipment in infrastructure construction?

Zero‑emission equipment refers to machinery that operates without producing exhaust gases, typically powered by electricity or batteries. Examples include:

  • Electric locomotives and battery locomotives
  • Electric cranes and rail‑road (Krol) vehicles
  • Electric vans and support vehicles

This equipment eliminates local emissions, improves air quality around work sites, reduces noise pollution and helps clients comply with increasingly strict sustainability requirements.

What does the future of sustainability in infrastructure look like?

By 2050, the infrastructure sector aims to be fully climate‑neutral. This future includes:

  • A robust, climate‑resilient infrastructure network designed for extreme weather.
  • A fully emission‑free construction fleet.
  • Circular material chains where components are reused at scale.
  • Rail as a leading sustainable mobility system, supported by smart energy management and low‑carbon construction methods.
  • Infrastructure that integrates nature, supports biodiversity and ensures safe mobility for everyone.

The transition is already underway, driven by innovation, collaboration and long‑term thinking.

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