Transparency videocast with Boris van Westering

Transparency videocast with Boris van Westering

Videocast

Transparency videocast with Boris van Westering

GSES and Data for Good, hosted by Harm Edens, have created an inspiring videocast where they explore themes of sustainability, transparency, and the power of data to create a more sustainable world.

In our first episode, we welcome Boris van Westering! With over 15 years of experience in the humanitarian sector, he has shifted his focus to environmental sustainability and is the author of the Partos CSR Guide. Boris will share insights on why benchmarking is essential in the humanitarian sector and how his projects have evolved.

Don’t miss these valuable conversations, and let’s work together for a sustainable future!

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MGTC partners with Control Union Malaysia to enhance sustainability initiatives

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MGTC partners with Control Union Malaysia to enhance sustainability initiatives

Sheraton Petaling Jaya, 31st October 2023

In a significant and momentous occasion witnessed by Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, the Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation (MGTC) and Control Union Malaysia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at a networking dinner organized by the Netherlands Embassy. This collaboration, solidified through the MOU, signifies a profound commitment to foster cooperation and synergy in various fields of mutual interest, with a focus on advancing sustainability and addressing critical environmental challenges.

The Parties intend to collaborate and pool their expertise, capacity, and capabilities to support Malaysia in several key areas of cooperation.

These areas include:

  • Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Assessment and Net-Zero Roadmap Development Capacity Building in Sustainability Programs
  • Expansion of MyHijau Products and Services
  • Validation and Verification Services

Platform for Rating, Verification, and Certification of Sustainability Performances: The Global Sustainable Enterprise System (GSES) platform to assess, verify, and certify the sustainability performances of organizations. This platform will play a crucial role in recognizing and encouraging sustainable practices.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, who graciously witnessed the signing of the MOU, expressed his support for the collaboration and the shared commitment to environmental sustainability. He emphasized the importance of international cooperation in addressing global climate challenges.

The signing of this MOU marks a significant step in the advancement of environmental sustainability in Malaysia and underscores the nation’s commitment to addressing climate change and promoting sustainable practices. The collaboration between MGTC and Control Union Malaysia is expected to have far-reaching implications, with the potential to drive positive change in various sectors of the Malaysian economy.

About Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation (MGTC):

MGTC is an agency under the Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change (NRECC) mandated to accelerate green growth, advance climate action and include green lifestyle.

Guided by the National Green Technology Policy (NGTP), the National Policy on Climate Change (NCCP), the Green Technology Master Plan 2017-2030(GTMP) and the Twelfth Malaysia Plan, MGTC carries out programmes and initiatives to support stakeholders at all levels.

By 2030, through its various programs and initiatives, MGTC aims to facilitate RM100 billion in green investments, create 230,000 green jobs and help Malaysia achieve its net- zero GHG emissions as early as 2050 target.

About Control Union Malaysia:

Control Union part of the Royal Peterson Control Union group, which was founded in The Netherlands in 1920 is currently active in over 80 countries and Control Union Malaysia have been serving clients in East and West Malaysia since 1987. Control Union is a global leader for palm oil, forestry, biomass, textile, recycling, food safety, aquaculture, fisheries, social compliances, and assurance on environmental services, carbon and ESG assurance in accordance with the AA1000 Assurance Standard. In addition to certification and assurance, Control Union is also a global leader in Commodity and Industrial inspections, Collateral Management Services, Non-toxic Pest Control and Academy services.

From the left: H.E. Mark Rutte (Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Netherlands) Mr. Supun Nigamuni (Managing Director of Control Union Malaysia), Ts. Shamsul Bahar (GCEO of MGTC), and Y.B. Liew Chin Tong (Deputy Minister of the MITI)

For more information and media inquiries, please contact:

Dinusha W. Surendre
Business Development Assistant Manager
Control Union Malaysia

dinusha@controlunion.com +6012 627 2505

Puan Farisha ZainolCorporate CommunicationMalaysia Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation (MGTC) farisha@mgtc.gov.my+6019 327 5456

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Johan Cruyff ArenA sustainability

Johan Cruyff ArenA changes the game on sustainability

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Johan Cruyff ArenA changes the game on sustainability

Johan Cruyff ArenA sustainability

Kelly Ruigrok, CEO | GSES & Willem Hegen, Crowd Services Manager & Project Lead Sustainability | Johan Cruyff ArenA

The Coldplay concert at Amsterdam’s Johan Cruyff ArenA last summer was ground-breaking in terms of sustainability. In order to fully monitor, measure and analyse the event’s environmental impact, the stadium teamed up with GSES, the Dutch-based sustainability rating system.

Together, they launched a game-changing approach which is making waves across the venues and events industry. The sustainability transparency provided by this initiative also makes the leisure and events industry more interesting for financial institutions seeking evidence-based sustainability data from their business customers. Kelly Ruigrok (CEO at GSES) and Willem Hegen (Crowd Services Manager & Project Lead Sustainability at Johan Cruyff ArenA) explained their partnership ahead of the Sustainable Finance and Climate Risk Event.

 

What was so special about the Coldplay concert?

Willem Hegen: During their “Music of the Spheres” world tour this year, Coldplay pledged to make the series of shows as low-carbon as possible. This included giving concert venues including the Johan Cruyff ArenA, a “sustainability rider” which set out the band’s sustainability goals for the venues. We embraced this set of parameters and joined forces with GSES to work on meeting the Coldplay criteria, as these fitted perfectly with the stadium’s own net positive sustainability goal.

Kelly Ruigrok: The Coldplay concert resulted in GSES, together with the team at the Johan Cruyff ArenA, creating a seventh pillar in the GSES system. This has quickly become the new sustainability data standard for the leisure and entertainment sector. Coldplay was the first-ever event which we have measured and verified, but it will certainly not be the last!

 

Why might this be particularly interesting for banks and financial institutions?

Kelly Ruigrok: At GSES, we already work with a number of banks and financial institutions, including ABN AMRO and Univé so we are used to measuring sustainability on behalf of their clients. However, this was the first time we were able to provide information which would enable financial parties to assess leisure and entertainment sector companies according to the global sustainable venue benchmark which we have created. This could become highly interesting when it comes to measuring the sustainability of loans, for example, to this particular sector which has specific challenges regarding sustainability.

The Johan Cruyff ArenA sees sustainability as a non-negotiable requirement. Could you explain what that means to you?

Willem Hegen: Sustainability is set within the core of our structure. We are partly public-owned, and it is important that we deliver something back to the public who visit, and to society as a whole. We host large scale events for varying from 55,000 to 72,000 visitors, and I think it’s key and crucial for us to innovate on sustainability and really make a difference. Today, as frontrunners in our industry, we are able to motivate large organizations, both in the sporting and entertainment industry, but also in the corporate world, to move along with us on this journey. We’re in a fortunate central position of a key network.

 

What does sustainability mean to you?

Willem Hegen: Well, first the word “sustainability” itself has become a huge generalisation! As an organisation we first struggled with stacking the large number of separate initiatives which we already had in terms of ESG. For example, we have had solar panels on our roof for years and we have a battery system to store the energy which we use to power events. But how did they fit together with our wide range of initiatives on the social pillar in order for us to measure total impact? Together with GSES, we established a starting point from which we could create a greater impact by setting clear KPIs and reducing the impact of our organisation from year to year.

Kelly mentioned specific challenges facing the leisure and entertainment industry on sustainability reporting: could you elaborate?

Willem Hegen: We are an organization which outsources between 70% to 80% of our business. This means we are very reliant on suppliers and the whole supply chain around us. We therefore wanted to have a sustainability monitoring system which could help us make our suppliers responsible for their own business, but through which we can measure the total impact of the operation. We wanted to create a clear level of responsibility.

 

How did GSES see that?

Kelly Ruigrok: GSES is a generic system which is sector agnostic. But specifically for the entertainment and leisure sector, there was a need for a sector specific pillar. Why? Because we want to move these venues to actually measure their events not only on carbon footprint, for example, but also on social matters, sustainable development, goal contributions, and more. That seventh pillar is divided into an event level and an organizational level, which is how venues measure themselves.

 

What are they measuring?

Kelly Ruigrok: In effect, they’re already measuring CSR, sustainable procurement, health and safety and everything that’s in the current pillars. But additionally, there are sector specific KPIs they have to meet to obtain that seventh pillar and get their certificate issued. And if you achieve that certification for the specific entertainment and leisure sector pillar, then you really are a frontrunner which will hopefully help you and your supply chain try to achieve the most sustainable events possible.

 

How does that help the Johan Cruyff ArenA?

Willem Hegen: We think it’s important to have a universal language for the venue and events industry and as I mentioned, we are very reliant on all of our stakeholders. One of the crucial elements of the GSES system is that our stakeholders are able to log in their products. And if we, for example, look at catering during events, we can measure product footprint, but also the materials footprint. From that we can actually start designing an event footprint budget prior to the event. We then also measure how the event actually performed post-event based on the sustainability dashboards coming from the catering operation.

 

Why is that useful?

Willem Hegen: We are able to see the impact of specific elements of the operation that we weren’t able to measure before. This allows us to make our suppliers responsible for their part of the operation and combine the data in one dashboard. I must emphasise, the system doesn’t tell you how to do it or what to do, but it can show you a direction. It then allows you to set clear KPIs yourself on the elements you want to improve, or that are relevant for your own business, which you can improve together with stakeholders.

 

Can the system have a wider impact?

Kelly Ruigrok: We also did a wider case study together with the Johan Cruyff ArenA to establish their impact on the targets of the municipality of Amsterdam. So, we also measure impact within geographic regions. At GSES we want to establish real change. And to drive change you not only need companies or their suppliers, you also need the regional authorities, and at the top level, the national government to be involved. We really try to connect up all those dots. And a big part of our Johan Cruyff ArenA partnership is also to establish lasting collaborations between private and public parties.

 

Many readers will be looking forward to future CSRD reporting obligations, can GSES help with that?

Kelly Ruigrok: We began this project after the Johan Cruyff ArenA did an event with KPMG about materiality analysis. So basically, with the GSEs, you can also report on the CSRD, and that’s also what the Johan Cruyff ArenA is doing now, in order to be compliant in future.

 

How is the Johan Cruyff ArenA looking ahead?

Willem Hegen: We have set the ambition to become Net Positive in 2030, a bold ambition. We will start reporting on event, venue, and organisation levels. We are already working towards the next events that we want to measure together with different organisers. We hope in the near future to create a standard set of measurements on sustainability for each type of large-scale event that we have, from soccer matches to large-scale concerts, dance events and corporate events. And it would be, I think, excellent if we can establish an industry standard, a protocol, for each type of event. Also, we periodically perform a major compliance audit to ensure we do what we say. That eliminates the chance of greenwashing as well.

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Zevij Necomij the green giant

Zevij Necomij the green giant: Leading the change in sustainable wholesale construction!

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Zevij Necomij the green giant: Leading the change in sustainable wholesale construction!

Zevij Necomij the green giant

Date: September 18, 2023

In the competitive landscape of wholesale construction, Zevij Necomij is emerging as a frontrunner in sustainability. “Our mission is to unite wholesalers in Holland and Belgium, digitise data for 200 corporate enterprise wholesalers, and support B2B members in the construction sector on their sustainability journey.

Motivated by our influential position in the industry, we aim to lower costs and promote sustainability throughout the sector. We’ve transformed into a digital service company, digitising product catalogues and invoices to enhance accessibility and sustainability.” said Marc de Dobbelaere, CEO of Zevij Necomij. Their collaboration with 550 suppliers (covering 3 million products) underscores their commitment to taking responsibility for sustainability. This shift in perspective was ignited by an inspiring encounter with Kelly, the CEO of GSES (Global Sustainable Enterprise System), revealing a promising pathway in the sustainability sector.

At the core of Zevij Necomij’s sustainability drive is a profound motivation. With a strong presence encompassing 260 wholesalers and catering to over 3,000 clients, they recognise their pivotal position within the supply chain. Leveraging this influence, the company is determined to not only optimise costs but also elevate sustainability standards throughout the sector. Their dedication transcends profit margins, with a clear emphasis on delivering environmental and societal benefits.

Zevij Necomij embarked on their digital transformation in 2006 with the digitization of product catalogues. This strategic move aimed to enhance information accessibility and streamline classification. In 2007, the company embraced paperless invoicing, introducing a platform dedicated to digitising invoices. In a pivotal development in 2013, Zevij Necomij seamlessly integrated these channels, empowering customers to access essential sustainability details. This holistic approach not only benefits suppliers and members but also fosters healthy competition among suppliers. Additionally, it empowers end-users, including government entities, to make informed choices.

All digitalisation solutions and efforts that Zevij Necomij is doing over these years are also benefiting their ecosystem: the wholesalers, partners, suppliers, and overarching stakeholders as well. So Zevij is not only making a huge impact in their stakeholder chain, it is also the maybe unexpected Green Giant that everyone should know about.

Zevij Necomij’s collaboration with GSES is grounded in the digital transformation of both product and organisational levels. GSES offers a robust framework for assessing sustainability pillars, perfectly aligning with Zevij’s mission and ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of their sustainability efforts.

Zevij Necomij relies on GSES standards and platforms to meticulously measure sustainability across their extensive network of suppliers, products, and brands. This partnership extends beyond borders, connecting with Eurocraft in Germany, Austria, Spain, and Britain. With 550 suppliers and 260 wholesalers united under the banner of sustainability, the momentum for change in the construction sector is rapidly accelerating. Marc de Dobbelaere describes: “Our collaboration with GSES is driven by their expertise in digitisation and sustainability, aligning with our objectives. With GSES, we measure sustainability across suppliers, products, and organisations, fostering a connected and sustainable sector. Our commitment to sustainability extends to eco-friendly practices like electric and solar energy, reducing plastic, and more. Sustainability awareness is growing within our company, and more employees are becoming conscious of our efforts with GSES.”

The Zevij Necomij and GSES partnership is enabling the measurement and verification of millions of building products in Europe, besides the brand and supplier measurements. This has never been done in history on such a scale. Although Zevij Necomij is taking significant strides towards a cleaner future. The company invests in sustainable energy sources, including electric and solar power, and actively collaborates with suppliers to reduce plastic packaging. Zevij Necomij is championing eco-friendly practices that align with their vision of a more sustainable world.

While presently, only two dedicated employees focus on sustainability, the company anticipates that, as their sustainability initiatives evolve, awareness among their workforce will grow significantly. The collaboration with GSES is poised to become an integral part of the company’s corporate culture, aligning values and actions towards a more sustainable world.

Zevij Necomij’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond corporate goals; it embodies a shared vision for a brighter future. They firmly believe that responsible choices made today will pave the way for a greener and cleaner tomorrow. Through their partnership with GSES, Zevij Necomij is leading the charge in driving sustainability across the construction industry, setting an inspiring example for others to follow.

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princess Laurentien van Oranje-Nassau

Presence of princess Laurentien van Oranje-Nassau at the sustainability event 2023

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Presence of princess Laurentien van Oranje-Nassau at the sustainability event 2023

princess Laurentien van Oranje-Nassau

We are honored to have Laurentien van Oranje-Nassau join us at our Sustainability Event! She is the co-founder and director of number 5 foundation. Her dedication to environmental causes and passion for creating a greener future truly makes her a role model for all of us.

She was activating the crowd as our amazing special guest! She woke people up by explaining the power of seeing the world and society in different perspectives and gave a memorable speech we will never forget.

Thank you so much for your presence and lighting up the event even more.

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