CO2 Performance Ladder Semi-Annual Report 2023

SAB surpasses the CO2 target for 2023

At SAB, we believe that working towards sustainability is part of our DNA. Therefore, we set ambitious goals to make a positive impact on the environment. One such goal is to reduce CO2 emissions. Compared to our reference year 2019, we aim to save 80 percent this year. And we are particularly proud to announce that we have more than succeeded: the emission is now only 15 percent of what it was in 2019!

“We want to contribute less to global warming,” says René Timmerman, Manager Product Services at SAB-profiel. “It’s something we want as a company and something society demands from businesses. Customers and investors also demand it from us as a supplier. Therefore, we are trying to move away from the use of fossil fuels. We also strive for lower material consumption and more reuse and recycling.”

What measures have we taken?

We are not standing still in IJsselstein and Geldermalsen on other fronts either. A selection of measures includes setting the air conditioning a degree higher or even turning it off completely, lowering the thermostat, keeping doors closed, insulating pipes, installing LED lamps, opting for energy-efficient motors, turning off machines not in use, electric driving, generating electricity with solar panels, or making green purchases. We are also promoting more conscious use of cars and minimizing flying. Additionally, we facilitate employees to work partially from home and engage in conversations with customers and suppliers about sustainability.

Many small measures, significant impact: in four years, our CO2 emissions have decreased to 15 percent of what they were.

On the way to carbon neutrality

The year 2019 was chosen as a reference because it allows for a realistic comparison: it was our last full year before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Are we there yet? Far from it. The goal is to operate completely carbon-neutral by 2030. Based on the savings already achieved, we expect this ambition to be achievable.

A look at the figures

Let’s delve deeper into the figures to get a clear picture of our performance.

For 2023, the following CO2 reduction target has been formulated for the entire SAB:

The goal for 2023 is a 80% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to the reference year 2019.

Quantitatively, this means 645 tons of CO2 emissions in 2023 compared to 3225 tons of CO2 emissions in 2019.

Below, this target is further broken down into separate objectives for Scope 1 and 2 and Business Travel (BT). The measures to achieve the objectives are also mentioned.

Objective 2023 Scope 1

Achieve a reduction of 67 tons of CO2 emissions.

The associated measures are:

In IJsselstein, various halls are equipped with facade insulation and insulated glass. This, in combination with the introduced closed-door policy, adjusting clock times, and lowering the set switching temperature, results in a reduction of 24 tons of CO2 emissions.

In the other halls in IJsselstein, the introduced closed-door policy, adjusting clock times, and lowering the set switching temperature result in a reduction of 20 tons of CO2 emissions.

In Geldermalsen, various forklifts/side loaders running on LPG are replaced with forklifts/side loaders running on electricity (battery). This results in a reduction of 23 tons of CO2 emissions.

Objective 2023 Scope 2

Achieve a reduction of 705 tons of CO2 emissions.

The associated measures are:

Greening all electricity consumption in IJsselstein with Guarantees of Origin (GVOs) saves 508 tons of CO2 and also saves in Geldermalsen.

With the above measure, all expected electricity consumption has already been greened. However, various initiatives are underway to further reduce electricity consumption.

The main measure is the further replacement of conventional fluorescent tubes with LED lighting. In 2023, 630 lamps will be replaced with LED lamps. This results in a reduction of 98,000 kWh.

Objective 2023 Business Travel

Achieve a reduction of 5 tons of CO2 emissions.

The associated measures are: