Emission Reduction
We are taking a leadership role in the transition to a net-zero carbon economy and have adopted ambitious emissions targets which demonstrate our commitment to sustainable growth. In 2022 our near- and long-term targets to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions within our global operations were approved by the global Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
In particular, the SBTi comment that our “net-zero target is currently the most ambitious designation available through the SBTi process” is a clear indication of our desire to be at the forefront in making a serious commitment to sustainable growth. We have pledged to:
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A reduction of scope 1 & 2 global greenhouse gas emissions from mainly offices by 95% by 2030 and 100% by 2050 from a 2019 base year. We also commit to increase annual sourcing of renewable electricity from 80% in 2019 to 100% by 2030. The target boundary includes biogenic emissions and removals from bioenergy feedstocks.
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A reduction of scope 3 global greenhouse gas emissions related to business travel by 67% within the same time frame.
It is important for us to take responsibility for the impact our own operations make in the world. This is a crucial part of our ambition to Enhance Society Together and in 2023, we will continue to implement initiatives to further reduce our impact.
To receive the approved net-zero targets for our organisation, it was essential to upgrade our global carbon footprint to full compliance with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol – Corporate standard and the Corporate Value Chain Accounting Reporting standard for Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions. As a consequence, our baseline measurement for the global carbon footprint, set in the reporting year 2019, has also been reset to fully comply with the abovementioned standards as well as the ISO14064 norm for which we will receive annual audits from DNV. Consequently, as of 2022, we will expand our reported reductions to cover scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions as well as our progress on the approved science-based reduction targets towards net-zero emissions, using the new baseline for 2019.
We will report annually on our progress towards our science-based targets, providing further indication of the seriousness of our intent.
Global Carbon Footprint - Net-Zero - following the GHG protocol and ISO14064 | |||||
baseline | |||||
2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | ||
Item | Scope | t CO2 | t CO2 | t CO2 | t CO2 |
Scope 1 emissions GHG protocol | ① | 4,309 | 1,741 | 1,229 | 1,542 |
-60% | -71% | -64% | |||
Scope 2 emissions GHG protocol | ② | 1,121 | 765 | 688 | 793 |
-32% | -39% | -29% | |||
Scope 3 emissions GHG protocol | ③ | 22,929 | 9,160 | 5,708 | 9,641 |
-60% | -75% | -58% | |||
Total | ① ② ③ | 28,359 | 11,665 | 7,623 | 11,974 |
Science-based reduction targets: | |||||
Royal HaskoningDHV commits to reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions 95% by 2030 from a 2019 base year. The target boundary includes biogenic emissions and removals from bioenergy feedstocks. Royal HaskoningDHV also commits to increase annual sourcing of renewable electricity from 80% in 2019 to 100% by 2030. Royal HaskoningDHV further commits to reduce absolute scope 3 GHG emissions 67% within the same timeframe. | |||||
Our workforce | |||||
Total | 5,295 | 5,179 | 5,428 | 5,726 | |
Totals CO2 footprint | |||||
Total | ① ② | 5,430 | 2,506 | 1,917 | 2,335 |
per employee | 1.03 | 0.48 | 0.35 | 0.41 | |
Total | ① ② ③ | 28,359 | 11,665 | 7,623 | 11,974 |
per employee | 5.36 | 2.25 | 1.4 | 2.09 | |
-58% | -74% | -61% | |||
Office buildings | |||||
Total - office buildings | ① ② | 1,616 | 1,231 | 1,094 | 1,132 |
per employee | 0.31 | 0.24 | 0.2 | 0.2 | |
Total - office buildings | ① ② ③ | 3,280 | 2,014 | 1,915 | 2,030 |
per employee | 0.62 | 0.39 | 0.35 | 0.35 | |
-37% | -43% | -43% | |||
Travel by car | |||||
Total - business travel by car | ① ② | 3,863 | 1,341 | 895 | 1,203 |
per employee | 0.73 | 0.26 | 0.16 | 0.21 | |
Total - business travel by car | ① ② ③ | 10,777 | 1,341 | 895 | 1,203 |
per employee | 2.04 | 0.26 | 0.16 | 0.21 | |
Total - all travel by road | ① ② ③ | 15,960 | 3,807 | 1,934 | 2,344 |
per employee | 3.01 | 0.73 | 0.36 | 0.41 | |
-87% | -92% | -90% | |||
Travel by plane | |||||
Total - business travel by plane | ③ | 7,735 | 1,965 | 1,314 | 3,489 |
per employee | 1.46 | 0.38 | 0.24 | 0.61 | |
-74% | -83% | -58% | |||
To calculate the Global Carbon Footprint per employee, we considered employees (people with a permanent or definite contract, hired by Royal HaskoningDHV or one of our subsidiaries) and other workers (such as agency workers) that significantly contribute to the carbon footprint. The number was retrieved on 31.12.2022. The workforce showcased in the Emissions reduction section and key figures, related to the Global Carbon Footprint may differ, comparing to other sections of the annual report. In 2023, we will be working to adjust the employee definition, to enhance comparability. | |||||
Our calculated footprint covers CO2-equivalent greenhouse gas emissions related to scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions of our operations. It is based on an international data collection structure which, in 2022, covered 90% of our employees located in the Netherlands, South Africa, United Kingdom, Indonesia, Poland, Vietnam, Australia and India. A weighted average is applied for remaining employees. The data is collected by a team of local employees appointed in participating countries who report twice a year to our corporate data manager. Their report is based on measurements (provided by meters or bills, internal registration systems or reports from partners or suppliers such as travel agencies). Data definitions and the procedure on how to deal with missing data are standardised following the GHG-protocol and the Corporate Value Chain Accounting Reporting standard. Country-specific emission factors are applied to calculate the scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions based on data provided by the national authorities and additional data from the Ecoinvent 3.8 Database (method applied: IPCC2021 GWP 100 V1.0 in line with GHG-protocol & ISO14064). If data is not available in time, the previous year’s data for that item and period is reported (temporary estimate). Our global CO2 footprint will be verified against the requirements of ISO14064 by DNV in April 2023.