How to reduce CO2 emissions as an entrepreneur
The Netherlands must reduce emissions of the greenhouse gas CO2 before 2030. To achieve this goal, the government has made agreements with companies and civil society organisations. The agreements are laid down in the Climate Agreement. You can help reduce CO2 emissions, for example by taking action on:
- how you and your staff travel (sustainable mobility)
- your business premises (commercial property)
- your business operations
Sustainable transport
Almost half of all traffic on the road result from business travel. More sustainable travel helps to reduce CO2 emissions. You can help by enabling your employees to travel in more sustainable ways.
Report and reduce CO2 emissions
Does your company have more than 100 employees? Then from 1 July 2024 you must report your employees’ business travel and commuting CO2 emissions. Are the emissions too high? Then you must take action to reduce it. For example, by allowing your employees to travel more often by bicycle, public transport or electric cars.
Sustainable business premises
Making your business premises energy efficient means less CO2 emissions and lower energy costs. You do this by saving energy. Or by opting for alternative energy to heat or cool your business premises.
Save energy
The Environmental Management Activities Decree obliges companies to save energy. In addition, you also have an energy efficiency notification obligation. The energy-saving obligation applies to companies with an annual energy consumption of more than 50,000 kWh of electricity or 25,000 m of natural gas (equivalent).
Energy label C for office buildings
From 2023, offices larger than 100 m2 must have Energy Label C. Making your building energy efficient with, for example, solar panels ensures lower energy costs. The government supports you with advice and subsidies.
Alternative energy
The government encourages the use of alternative energy sources. For example solar,wind or geothermal heat (in Dutch). This offers your company opportunities to move away from gas.
Business operations
With sustainable business operations you can reduce CO2 emissions and save costs. Think about which sustainable topics are important to you.
Sustainable purchasing
When making purchasing decisions, you consider factors such as the price, quality, and delivery time of a product. Sustainable purchasing means also paying attention to the consequences for people and the environment.
Production
You already deal with environmental regulations and the Activities Decree, such as the rules for industrial waste. In addition, you can use raw materials in a smarter way.
Waste
If you separate your waste, raw materials can be reused. In the company waste separation tool you can see which waste you must separate. There is also a checklist available.
Subsidies for energy saving measures
The government supports entrepreneurs in taking energy-saving measures. There are various financial and tax arrangements available.