Climate neutral certificate for the Willy Naessens Group

Sustainable entrepreneurship

CSO Kris Vanrenterghem: 'At the Willy Naessens Group, sustainable entrepreneurship has always been the company philosophy. With a particular focus on the social aspect. Because a company's capital is its people.' And that is also how, within the family business, the ecological and energy aspect is brought to the shop floor: for and by the employees. 'Since the corona pandemic, we have shifted to a higher level of sustainability.' In the thorough, considered way that shines through in everything the company does. 'Through various workshops, we want to actively engage our employees: what is sustainability to them? Where do they see improvements? From the more than 400 possible measures that emerged during the internal workshops, we will start working on more than 100 reduction measures step by step. So the approach is both top-down and bottom-up'.

Towards a net-zero carbon footprint

All this was set in motion following a thorough inventory of our carbon footprint, which prompted the Group to actively reduce that carbon footprint. That immediately for all BUILD companies. 'If we do something, we do it all the way.' Among other things, the Group, together with its own Research & Development department and suppliers, is looking at where it can be more sustainable. Capturing and injecting CO2 in concrete panels, for example. Or optimising the concrete mix with less cement. And, of course, recycling concrete to reuse own materials. 'There are many working points we are working on full speed ahead, mainly around transport and electricity. For instance, we already have 300,000 m² of solar panels, and we maximise the green energy in our buildings with heat pumps. To eventually switch to buying renewable energy as well.' Can we add to that list: transport becoming increasingly efficient, geothermal energy at the head office, electrification, installation of charging stations ... When asked if the Group wants to become net zero by 2050, a resounding 'yes' is heard. 'That is effectively our goal and it is absolutely possible. It's just that we wanted to make an impact in the short term. The focus on reducing remains, but we now offset all our remaining emissions through the certified projects offered to us by Climate Neutral Group.'

Carbon offsetting through certified climate projects

More specified: a biogas project in the Netherlands, reforestation in Cambodia, wind energy production in India and water treatment in Sierra Leone. 'Each of the offset projects has a link to our operations. For example, 30% of our turnover is in the Netherlands. Building also requires a particularly large amount of timber, so we want to replant what we have used in recent years.' In turn, the Group's 14 concrete plants have zero discharge status, in line with the water treatment project in Sierra Leone. The social aspect also plays an important role in the choice of offset projects. 'In India, energy is generated by windmills, which is supplied to the local population through a distribution network.' Each of these are valuable projects to offset the Group's carbon footprint.

Climate Neutral Certified label: independent and international label

'When looking for an international partner for certification around our net zero emissions, we quickly ended up at Climate Neutral Group,' says Vanrenterghem. 'The Climate Neutral Certified label is the independent label with international clout that we were looking for'. Because in addition to Belgium, the Willy Naessens Group is also very active in Scandinavia, France, the Netherlands, Romania, Luxembourg ... 'It is an official climate neutral certificate, audited by the independent party Preferred by Nature - a major international player in the field of sustainability labels.' According to Vanrenterghem, it is a story of several years, but one that pays off. 'You can only get the certificate if you follow the rules and agreements of the climate neutral standard. This emphasises CO2 reduction and imposes an annual reduction target. CNG is the right partner in this for smooth cooperation.' His advice for other companies in and far beyond the construction sector? 'The road is long and there are cobblestones, but lingering at the start with which bike you will ride is of no use. Get on the bike and start riding. Full stop.'

Watch the full interview below. (in Dutch)