In August 2015, a historic agreement was formed among 193 countries, establishing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) as a global roadmap for sustainable development. The Netherlands, known for it’s progressive environmental policies, has been at the forefront of sustainability initiatives, aligning itself with the global agenda to create a more sustainable future.

The Netherlands has long been recognized as a leader in sustainability efforts, boasting a robust framework of environmental policies and initiatives. With a strong focus on renewable energy, waste management, and green infrastructure, the country has made significant strides towards reducing it’s carbon footprint and promoting eco-friendly practices. One notable aspect of sustainability in the Netherlands is it’s commitment to renewable energy. The country has set ambitious targets for transitioning to clean energy sources, with the aim of achieving 100% renewable electricity by 2050. Through investments in wind, solar, and biomass energy, the Netherlands is paving the way for a greener, more sustainable energy future.

Additionally, the Netherlands has implemented innovative solutions to tackle environmental challenges such as waste management. From advanced recycling facilities to circular economy initiatives, the country is working towards minimizing waste and maximizing resource efficiency.

The significance of sustainability in society is steadily increasing, and here at Auren Netherlands, we are driven by an inherent motivation to play our part. In response, we have established the Auren Green Team to explore avenues for sustainability within our organization and to support our clients in navigating the opportunities and challenges presented by this imperative.

Consequently, we have identified five key focus areas:

• Internal governance
• Office and building operations
• Labor conditions
• Client advisory services
• Compliance with European sustainability legislation, including the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD)

The CSRD, which is set to come into effect in the near future, will mandate enhanced reporting requirements for large companies concerning their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices. This directive underscores the growing importance of sustainability within the European business landscape and emphasizes the need for proactive measures to ensure compliance and promote sustainable business practices.

For the year 2024, the Auren Green Team has set specific objectives and already initiated various measures, including:

• Formulating a sustainability policy
• Phasing out the use of water coolers
• Introducing sustainable snacks and refreshments
• Offering guidance to colleagues on creating a healthy work environment, such as minimizing blue light exposure from screens
• Developing a “stimulus agenda” for engaging and motivating our clients on sustainability matters

Furthermore, our agenda for 2024 includes the implementation of additional green labor conditions and assisting large companies in preparing for forthcoming CSRD regulations.

We would also like to discuss this topic with other (Auren) companies! If you are interested, please contact us at greenteam@auren.nl