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Project updates and initiatives at KUBO
Our ESG manager, Bart Bossink, writes regular updates on developments in this area within the KUBO Group. This time it is about the November 2024 update.
Back to work full of energy after the summer
The summer vacations are behind us, the warm months are over, and the dark days are approaching. A perfect time to get back to work full of energy! And we do: it is a busy period with three major projects that all have to be completed before the end of this year. You can read more about these projects later in this blog.
On Thursday, September 5, I had the honor of giving a presentation on sustainability at the annual Ultra-Clima Convention, organized by KUBO, this year in Rotterdam. It was inspiring to meet a large group of enthusiastic customers from all over the world. During my presentation, I shared insights into the creation of our ESG strategies and discussed regulations and reporting requirements around sustainability. The reactions of the attendees, each with their own experiences with ESG, showed how great the differences are worldwide. It highlighted once again the need to harmonize ESG regulations and targets globally.
Sustainability Day
Thanks to our Marketing and HR departments, I also gave an interactive session to our colleagues at KUBO on Thursday, October 10, Sustainability Day, about our sustainability initiatives. We had two sessions with good attendance and inspiring discussions. The morning ended with an ESG quiz, which included a fun prize.
That day we challenged our team to bike to work, take the stairs instead of the elevator, and delicious, healthy snacks were available in the cafeteria. It was a successful day that we plan to repeat every year.
Being sustainable has never been so much fun!
Projects and initiatives at KUBO
Carbon Reduction Plan
In recent weeks we have been working intensively within KUBO on data collection, gathering data from various subsidiaries and entering it into an ESG tool. Together with our partner Holtara, we are analyzing this information to compile our Carbon Report 2023. This report, which includes an update on our carbon footprint, is expected to be published in mid-November. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this data collection.
CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive).
We are fully engaged in preparations for the 2025 CSRD reporting requirements. This intensive project requires a lot of attention in the coming months. In cooperation with Holtara, we are taking the necessary steps to meet the requirements from the Gap Analysis so that we are “CSRD audit proof.” We will have an external auditor review our preparations at the end of this year.
Validation project
In May, Anthesis delivered an interim report with initial findings. The results of our energy-efficient and CO2-saving cultivation process are promising. As a result, we expect a certification and shortly thereafter a validation to be issued by the end of this year. In addition, we have appointed an independent party to provide various validations for us.
ESG Strategy
Most OnePagers (ESG targets) have been established, and several sub-projects have already started. Results and progress are reported internally, and some key KPIs will also be shared externally on our website and in our sustainability report, as required by CSRD legislation.
Staff Mobility Survey
In September, all colleagues received a survey on mobility. The response was great - thank you for your participation! The results will be processed and forwarded to the Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland (RVO). This will give the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management a better understanding of CO2 emissions from business and commuting traffic. A summary of the results will be published shortly.
Collaboration and knowledge sharing in sustainability
Sustainability is a continuously developing topic. We work closely with customers and partners to learn from each other and exchange sustainable knowledge. A good example of this is a project in which we are mapping the carbon footprint of the greenhouses we build in cooperation with a customer. This not only helps us to make our processes more sustainable, but also strengthens our relationship with partners in the area of sustainability.