Operating in a climate-neutral way
We are working towards operating in a climate-neutral way by 2030. The Dutch government sees itself as its having a role to play in setting an example and so wants to achieve this goal by 2030. We have aligned with this goal because climate and environmental safety are also important for our clients’ social and economic security and independence. The SVB is therefore aiming to halve its CO₂ emissions in 2025 compared with 2019.
SVB uses the CO2-Performance Ladder
To provide insight into our CO2footprint and to reduce our CO2emissions, we use the CO2Performance Ladder. Many government agencies use this system. We also communicate on whether we have achieved our goals. Every step in the process is verified by an external auditor.
In March 2024 we received CO2 Performance Ladder certification at Level 4.
In 2023 we took action to make the SVB offices more sustainable and also to reduce our CO2 emissions from travel and on the goods and services we procure. Details of these measures are set out in our CO2 management plan.
The SVB emitted 20 per cent less CO2 in 2023 than in 2021.
In the second half of 2023, the SVB emitted 1850 tons of CO2. This was 12% less than in the same period in 2022 and 13% less than in 2021. The SVB’s emissions in 2023 were around 20% lower than in 2021.
| Jaar | CO2-uitstoot in tonnen | Reductie vanaf 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4.887 | |
| 2022 | 4.302 | -12% |
| 2023 | 3.887 | -20% |
The SVB has made considerable efforts in recent years to reduce its environmental footprint, with the result that:
- our gas consumption is 30% lower than in 2008
- our electricity consumption is 50% lower than in 2008
- our CO2 emissions are 50% lower than in 2019
- the average energy label for our offices in the Netherlands is A
By halving our electricity consumption we have also been able to avoid significant amounts of CO2 emissions. In 2024, the SVB is switching to Dutch green energy and the CO2emissions from our electricity use will therefore fall to close to 0.
| Categorie | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aardgasverwarming | 970 | 613 | 527 |
| Ingekochte diesel | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Eigen wagenpark | 36 | 33 | 73 |
| Stadswarmte | 191 | 156 | 201 |
| Elektriciteit | 3.544 | 3.140 | 2.631 |
| OV kilometers | 17 | 48 | 106 |
| Vliegreizen | 12 | 98 | 83 |
| Zakelijke reizen | 116 | 213 | 264 |
| Totaal | 4.887 | 4.302 | 3.887 |
Supply chain analysis - IT hardware and Hirings
The SVB has analysed the impact of CO2 emissions of IT hardware used within our organisation and used these analyses as the basis for setting goals and defining measures to achieve our goals. We have also analysed the impact that staff hirings through a broker have on our CO2 emissions.
These supply chain analyses were adopted by the SVB in October 2023 and progress reports will be prepared in the first half of 2024.
Researching opportunities to provide workspace for public sector workers
The SVB is looking into opportunities to provide workspace for public sector workers and what this would involve.
- This includes investigating opportunities for working with the government to look at the issue of office accommodation in a broader context. Report to follow in 2024.
CO2 emissions (natural gas and electricity) in the 2nd half of the year
In the period 2021-2023, we saw a reduction in our CO2 emissions from natural gas and electricity. Based on the figures for the 2nd half of the year, we reduced emissions on gas from 263 tons in 2021 to 221 tons in 2022 and 192 tons in 2023.
The reduction on electricity was from 1688 tons in 2021 to 1600 tons in 2022 and 1311 tons in 2023.
CO2 emissions (excluding natural gas and electricity) in the 2nd half of the year
In the case of other categories, the CO2 emissions figures for 2021-2023 present a mixed picture. In the 2nd half of 2022, for example, emissions from district heating fell, but then rose again slightly in the 1st half of 2023, as shown in the ‘Annual CO2 emissions in tons’ table.
Most of the savings relate to electricity and gas, which together account for over 81% of our emissions.
Emissions in tons for 2nd half of 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively:
diesel purchased 0.5 - 0.5 - 0.5
vehicle fleet 18 - 16 - 36
district heating 75 - 60 - 89
public transport (km) 9 - 28 - 48
air travel 6 - 61 - 40
business travel 58 - 118 - 133