The goal of the 2015 Paris Agreement is to ensure that the earth’s global warming is limited to 1.5 to 2.0 degrees Celsius. Pursuant to this agreement, EU member states have agreed to climate neutral by 2050. For the Netherlands, this means a 60% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2030. Governments and companies are conforming to this goal. Demcon is also making its contribution to this.
To determine our CO2 targets, we used the Science Based Targets (SBT). The SBT are objectives that ultimately result in achieving the targets agreed upon under the Paris Agreement. They identify the annual targeted percentage reduction required for this purpose. This is presented graphically, so that at a single glance you can see whether you are on track. Our CO2 targets are based on the SBT and tailored to our way of working.
We calculate our CO2 emissions in accordance with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol). The GHG Protocol divides the emissions into three scopes, depending on their origin:
our current CO2 emissions.
CO2 emissions (based on GHG Protocol):
*We have divided scope 3 into scope 3a and 3b. Scope 3a concerns commuting traffic, business traffic with personal vehicles, business flights and (waste)water. The figure above pertains to scope 3a. Scope 3b concerns emissions in the chain. We do not have sufficient insight into this figure yet and will keep working on this in 2024. 2023 serves as the reference year for scope 3.
In 2023, our absolute CO2 emission increased as a result of our company’s growth. We did achieve a reduction of 4.63% CO2 emission per FTE for scope 1 + 2. This means we have only just fallen short of our target of 5% emission reduction per FTE. The primary reasons for this are:
our aims for 2024.
We are going to focus on those elements that emit the most CO2: the energy used in our buildings and transportation. Our overall CO2 target for 2024:
We intend to achieve this target by initiating and implementing the following projects:
We have identified the carbon footprint for scope 1 and 2 for Demcon’s largest locations. In this respect we reviewed our performance in terms of the energy consumed in our buildings, transportation, waste and water. Our next step is to include consumption in the chain (scope 3).
Besides installing 85 solar panels on the roof of the new Demcon headquarters in Enschede, we have also expanded the number of solar panels on the roof of the Demcon Technology Center in Enschede. Upon completion of the building, it featured 915 solar panels. Another ninety panels were installed in late 2022 for a total of 1,005 solar panels.
In the context of making our buildings further sustainable, we installed a heat pump at our location in Best at the end of 2022. This heat pump not only provides heat, it also helps cool our offices on hot days. As a result we have largely eliminated the consumption of gas at this location, which also results in much lower CO2 emissions.
The new Demcon headquarters in Enschede has been built in accordance with the highest sustainability standards and was awarded the BREEAM certificate. This includes a review of aspects such as the use of materials, waste processing and the building’s energy performance. Sustainability was taken into consideration in numerous ways, both visible and hidden from view. For example, the roof is completely covered with a total of 85 solar panels, a heat pump has been installed, and recycled or reusable materials were used. Also the Demcon Technology Center also obtained the BREEAM Outstanding certificate upon completion.
Demcon has a leased car regulation. Employees who qualify under these regulations can opt for an electric car. In 2023, the vast majority of Demcon pool cars was replaced by hybrid vehicles, as the previous pool cars were not electric and due for replacement. Due to the distances between the various Demcon branches and the limited operating radius of fully electric cars combined with long charging times, Demcon has decided to replace the existing pool cars with hybrid models. The delivery of these cars was originally scheduled for February 2022 and finally took place in late 2023 and early 2024.
In the context of our sustainable mobility policy, we are currently working on providing all Demcon locations with a sufficient number of charging stations for electric cars. This is why charging stations, each with two chargers, have recently been installed at our location in Best and at our new headquarters (DHQ) in Enschede. These have now been installed at our locations in Best (6), Enschede DHQ (4), Enschede DIC (2) and Delft (4). At our Enschede DTC location, the municipality of Enschede has installed 4 charging stations. Charging stations for our location at the Institutenweg 21 in Enschede are planned for 2024.
Starting in 2024, plastic disposable cups and meal packaging will no longer be permitted at the office. Reusable mugs and plates will become the norm. This is to further prevent environmental pollution and ‘plastic soup’. Although our former coffee and teacups were being recycled, they contained residual plastics and therefore had to be replaced in view of the new legislation.
Ahead of the changing laws and regulations concerning disposable cups, we have switched from paper coffee cups to reusable mugs and cups at virtually all Demcon locations. Because of supply issues with the reusable mugs, the Demcon location in Best will make this transition in early 2024.
Demcon is working on a sustainable mobility policy. With this policy we aim to make a contribution to various issues, such as:
• Reducing CO2 emissions;
• Solving parking issues;
• Greening outdoor spaces;
• Promoting employee fitness.
To gain more insight into our colleagues’ commute and their wishes in this regard, we conducted internal surveys in both 2022 and 2023. Both surveys were completed by over 600 colleagues. We use the survey results to further shape and refine our mobility policy. For example, we expanded the bicycle storage facilities at several Demcon locations in 2023 and we offer employees a discount on the purchase and repair of their bike.