Climate-neutral operations
We are working towards operating in a climate-neutral way by 2030. The Dutch government believes it has a role to play in setting an example, and therefore 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. The SVB has therefore set itself the target of reducing its CO2 emissions by 50% in 2025 when compared to 2019. This target has been met.
SVB uses the CO2-Performance Ladder
To provide insight into our CO2footprint and 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 January 2025, we again received Level 4 CO2Performance Ladder certification.
Our measures for reducing CO2 emissions are set out in the CO2 management plan.
- Read more about the CO2 Performance Ladder You will be redirected to another website, which will open in a new window.
- Download our CO2management plan for 2025 (pdf / 1.06 MB)
- View our CO2 Awareness Certificate (available in Dutch only) You will be redirected to another website, which will open in a new window.
CO2 emissions were slightly lower in the 1st half of 2025 when compared to 2024
In the 1st half of 2025, the SVB emitted 886 tonnes of CO2. Since we switched to green electricity in January 2024, natural gas has accounted for the majority of our CO2 emissions. In the 1st half of 2025, our CO2 were 4% lower when compared to the 1st half of 2024.
CO2 emissions in the 1st half of 2021 (base year), 2024 and 2025
The CO2 emissions are presented in an overview for 2021 (base year), 2024 and 2025. For the sake of comparison, the data from the 1st half of each of these years have been used.
Any minor adjustments to the historical data are the result of earlier recalculations. In 2024, this was, amongst other things, the result of adjustments to emissions from air travel.
| Category | Results for 1st half of 2021 | Results for 1st half of 2024 | Results for 1st half of 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural gas heating | 707 | 327 | 339 |
| Diesel purchased | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Vehicle fleet | 18 | 24 | 10 |
| District heating | 116 | 135 | 128 |
| Electricity | 1,897 | 168 | 168 |
| Travel by public transport (in kilometres) | 9 | 61 | 50 |
| Air travel | 6 | 86 | 70 |
| Business travel | 58 | 124 | 121 |
| Total | 2,811 | 927 | 886 |
Emissions per scope
Scopes are categories of emissions officially established in the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol). Scope 1 encompasses all emissions from the use of fossil fuels in SVB buildings or cars. Scope 2 encompasses all emissions from the generation of electricity or district heating used in SVB buildings. Scope 3 encompasses any other emissions in the chain. The distribution per scope is as follows:
- scope 1 (natural gas and fuel for SVB vehicle fleet): 349 tonnes of CO2 emissions (39%). This is a decrease of 6.4% when compared to 2023 and 52% when compared to 2021. We are on target to reduce these emissions by 5% when compared to 2023
- scope 2 (electricity and district heating): 296 tonnes of CO2 emissions (34%). This is a decrease of 79.7% when compared to 2023 and 85.3% when compared to 2021. We are on target to reduce these emissions by 80% when compared to 2023
- scope 3 (business travel, travel by public transport, and air travel): 241 tonnes of CO2 emissions (27%).This is an increase of 4.2% when compared to 2023 and an increase of 225% when compared to 2021
CO2 emissions from natural gas heating and electricity in the 1st half of 2024
Natural gas emissions have decreased slightly when compared to the 1st half of 2024. This is due less office space being rented out in our buildings, and lower temperatures during spring. We are monitoring the increase closely, because our target is to reduce natural gas emissions by 4% in 2025. Our electricity consumption is increasing, probably due to a larger number of staff members working at our offices. Our target of a 50% reduction by 2030 has not yet been met.
CO2 emissions excluding natural gas heating and electricity in 2024
When it comes to other categories, the CO2 emissions for 2021 to 2025 present a mixed picture. For example, the overall demand for district heating has fallen. In the 1st half of 2025, there was a slight decrease when compared to the 1st half of 2024. This was also the case in 2024 when compared to 2023. Emissions for business travel were lower because we have an electric vehicle fleet and because our employees use their private cars less for business travel. Meanwhile, emissions for other categories of transport have increased, including air travel.
Progress in achieving our targets
Our target was to cut our emissions by 50% by no later than 2025. We met this target in 2024.
In the 1st half of 2025, our gas consumption increased, probably due to a cold spring. Meeting the target of 4% is going to be a challenge. We are therefore monitoring the emissions.
Electricity consumption has increased when compared to 2024 and 2023 as a result of charging points for electric cars, a larger number of heating and cooling degree days, and a larger number of staff members working at our offices. The effects of the implemented measures can therefore not be expressed in figures. Meeting these 2 targets will therefore be a challenge.
This target has been met. The results for the last 6 months vary per location, but overall there has been a decrease.
81% of our current vehicle fleet is electric, so we are on target.
This target has been met. We are monitoring progress, as business travel has increased every year until now. Emissions seem to have stopped increasing.
Progress in supply chain analyses
Due to the purchase of IT hardware, CO2 emissions increased significantly to 453 tonnes in the 1st half of 2025. In 2024, emissions were 530 tonnes for the whole year. Thanks to a better calculation, this is now transparent. This is not yet sufficient if the target of 10% is to be met by 2030.
Reducing energy consumption of internal server rooms by 10% in 2030
The energy consumption of main equipment rooms (MERs) cannot be measured yet because the meters are not yet available.
Target: the SVB is striving to reduce its CO2 emissions from commuting by external staff when compared to the initial measurement, which was carried out in 2023. (This target has been met)
More than 90% of the CO2 emissions from hirings can be attributed to commuting. The emissions are calculated based on the work locations and places of residence of staff members hired through the broker. The commuting habits of temporary staff members hired through the staffing partner and other agencies are analysed based on projections.
During the preparation of the chain analysis, emissions were calculated at 881 tonnes (June 2023). In the last measurement, emissions had decreased by 27% when compared to the baseline measurement. Emissions are decreasing because the SVB is hiring less external staff.
Based on the available data, the annual emissions from external hirings were determined as follows:
| Projected annual emissions in tonnes CO2 | Difference compared to 1st calculation (=881 tonnes) chain analysis | |
|---|---|---|
| 30 June 2024 | 930 | 5% increase in emissions |
| 10 December 2024 | 774 | 12% decrease in emissions |
| 30 June 2025 | 613 | 27% decrease in emissions |
Working with other organisations
We are participating in various knowledge-sharing initiatives, such as the central government’s Community of Practice CO2 Performance Ladder. We also play an active role in the corporate social responsibility platform ‘Maatschappelijk Verantwoord Ondernemen’ of the government-wide benchmark group (RBB group), where sustainability advisers from the affiliated organisations share their experience and discuss new developments.Central government
Results for previous periods
Also view the results for previous periods.