Royal HaskoningDHV to achieve Net Zero by 2030

CCO Erik Oostwegel comments: “As the recent extreme weather events made clear and emphasized by yet another IPCC Report, there is no time to waste to take the necessary actions to reduce climate change as well as to build resilience to its inevitable impact.

“I am pleased to commit to our own operations being net zero for greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. It also means we constantly challenge ourselves and our clients to aim for sustainable solutions. After all, it’s through the projects we do with our clients that we can drive the biggest positive change and deliver on our purpose of enhancing society together.”

Maximise reduction

Royal HaskoningDHV has committed to the United Nations Business Ambition to limit global warming to 1.5°C to reduce destructive impacts of climate change on human society and nature. The company has set science-based targets to maximise its greenhouse gas emission reduction, with action to cut emissions hard in the near term whilst acknowledging that some emissions remain harder to avoid in the longer term. The company will publicly report on these targets and progress against them. Targets are set for 2030 with 2019 as base year and include:

• Reduction of office related greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by further phasing out fossil energy and switching to renewable energy for our global offices (scope 1 and 2).
• Reduction of business travel (excl. flying) related greenhouse gas emission by 80% by completing the electrification of the company car fleet, reducing mileage due to hybrid working and motivating employees to drive electric where possible (scope 3).
• Reduction of flying related greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by always considering a more sustainable alternative and align this with clients, such as meeting online instead, switching to train for short distances, and flying more sustainable by opting for the lowest carbon alternative like direct flights (scope 3).

Sustainable choices

“We are committed to making sustainable choices in our operations wherever possible, by further greening our energy supply and reducing business travel. If Covid-19 has taught us anything it is the value of online meetings making this possible. To deliver advice and services to our clients, certain flights will be business essential but our objective will be to minimise these. Also, we foresee we will not be able to prevent all emissions in the different areas. Residual emissions will be offset with, wherever possible, additional benefits which align with our purpose to enhance society”, Erik Oostwegel adds.