Climate-neutral operations in the 1st half of 2023

We are working towards operating in a climate-neutral way by 2030. The Dutch government sees itself as 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.

Results for the first half of 2023

Compared with the first half of 2022, our total CO2 emissions fell by 201 tons (9%). We have seen a permanent reduction in energy use, but also an increase in travel. Staff are working from home less and working at the office more, which means that they are travelling more. Compared with the first half of 2022, business travel has increased by 37%.

Working with other organisations

We are part of a Community of Practice (CoP) with ministries, several other autonomous administrative authorities and civil service departments. At CoP meetings, organisations share their experiences of, for example, working with the CO₂ Performance Ladder, of measures that can be used to reduce CO₂ emissions, of communications and of changing the mindset within an organisation. We are also a member of the corporate social responsibility platform ‘Maatschappelijk Verantwoord Ondernemen’, which is provided by the government-wide benchmark group (Rijksbrede benchmarkgroep). This platform enables sustainability advisers to come together to learn from each other and so contribute to their organisations’ reduction targets.

Development project

We have offices in prime locations, most of which are within walking distance of a train station. Because our own staff are making less use of our offices, we want to explore alternative uses for the space. Although some space is let, mostly to tenants in the public sector, some offices still have unused space available at certain times. Together with other public sector organisations, we are examining whether this unused space can be put to better use and help to reduce CO₂ emissions by ensuring that:

  • less new social property is needed
  • these workers can work together at a location that encourages the use of public transport
  • these workers can work together at a place closer than their formal place of work
Image showing our emissions in 2022
Image showing our emissions in 2021

Breakdown and images of our CO2 emissions for 2021 and 2022

See the categories listed in order of emission volumes:

Breakdown of CO2 emissions for 2021

Total emissions: 4,869 tons

  • 73% Electricity – 3,537 tons
  • 20% Natural gas heating – 970 tons
  • 4% District heating – 191 tons
  • 2% Travel for work (private car) – 116 tons
  • 1% Own vehicle fleet – 29 tons
  • 0% Public transport kilometres – 17 tons
  • 0% Air travel – 9 tons

Breakdown of CO2 emissions for 2022

Total emissions: 4,266 tons

  • 73% Electricity – 3,134 tons
  • 14% Natural gas heating – 613 tons
  • 5% Travel for work (private car) – 213 tons
  • 4% District heating – 155 tons
  • 2% Air travel – 75 tons
  • 1% Public transport kilometres – 48 tons
  • 1% Own vehicle fleet - 27 tons

These figures were republished on 4 October 2023 after being adjusted.