Verstegen is committed to Net-Zero climate goals
Text from: Global Compact Network Netherlands
Bussum, April 18, 2023 – Today, 10 CEOs of leading Dutch companies committed to science-based climate goals, the Net-Zero Science Based Targets of the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi). With this commitment, the companies are working towards operating across their entire value chain in line with the Paris Agreement and contributing to limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C.
The signing took place during a CEO breakfast session prior to the Purpose Day XL conference, chaired by Paul Polman, Vice-Chair of the United Nations Global Compact. The companies joining are: Intergamma, Trivium Packaging, Dura Vermeer, Royal Ahrend, TBI, Verstegen Spices & Sauces, EVBox, Media.Monks, CSU, Tzorg, Zizo, and TAUW.
The committing companies are determined to set short- and long-term emission reduction targets to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across their entire value chain by 2050, independently validated by SBTi's technical experts. This means rapidly reducing emissions and halving them by 2030. By 2050, these organizations must have near-zero emissions, and any remaining emissions that cannot be eliminated must be neutralized. The SBTi Net-Zero standard is the most ambitious target companies can set today and covers a company's emissions across its entire value chain. Most companies will need at least 90% deep decarbonization to achieve net-zero by 2050.
Paul Polman: “The latest IPCC report is the strongest warning yet that only immediate, large-scale action can prevent complete climate collapse. It is enormously encouraging that these companies are committing today to credible, measurable, and science-based targets to minimize climate change. I strongly support their call for all companies that don't yet have credible, science-based targets to join, as well as their call for governments to help make ambitious climate action business as usual for companies.”
The VNO-NCW business association supports the call and was present at the signing ceremony. "It's excellent that this new group of companies is committing to a net-zero target by 2050 and will also monitor and achieve this through this scientific standard. The business community has committed to the Paris Agreement, and using SBTi increases public confidence in that commitment. In that respect, it's becoming the gold standard," said Focco Vijselaar, CEO of VNO-NCW.
Eneco was the first Dutch company to have net-zero targets validated by SBTi, and CEO As Tempelman explained during the breakfast: “We have a responsibility to keep our planet livable for future generations; there is no ‘Planet B.’ The latest scientific insights show that we are in a race against time and that drastic measures are needed now. I call on all companies to be transparent about the carbon budget they are still permitted to emit that aligns with the 1.5-degree emissions path for their sector. And based on this, to implement an externally validated roadmap of climate actions that aligns with this. Every company must take responsibility, and together we can make a difference.”
About SBTi
The Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) is a collaboration between the CDP (Climate Disclosure Project), the United Nations Global Compact, the World Resources Institute, and the World Wide Fund for Nature. Science Based Targets (SBT) are science-based targets that provide a thorough analysis of emissions and reduction plans. The SBTi independently assesses and validates companies' carbon emission targets in accordance with the latest climate science and based on scientific criteria.
About the CEO Breakfast
The CEO breakfast and the commitment of the attending companies were organized by UN Global Compact Network Netherlands, IMPACTING.today sustainability consultancy, Purpose Day XL co-organizer Folkert van der Molen (Van der Molen EIS), and Charlotte de Voogd of H+K Strategies. The plant-based breakfast was sponsored by Vermaat Groep.