Revolutionising Retail: Clipper Interall Adopts GSES’s Nature Impact Rating for Eco-Friendly Product Evaluation

GSES – Global Sustainable Enterprise System and Clipper Interall proudly unveil the Nature Impact Rating on the Clipper website, a groundbreaking initiative reshaping the way environmental impact is measured in their webshop.

Measuring environmental impact:

Clipper takes a significant stride towards sustainability by integrating the Nature Impact Rating, a cutting-edge initiative by GSES, into their webshop. This innovative approach measures the environmental impact of their products comprehensively.

Explore the sustainability Journey:

Discover the details on the Clipper website It’s an extraordinary leap towards sustainability, showcasing Clipper’s commitment to environmental responsibility.

Make a positive impact. Join us in creating a more sustainable future. Explore the Nature Impact Rating on Clipper’s webshop and witness the power of conscious consumer choices.

Together Towards Sustainability
GSES is delighted to collaborate with Clipper Interall, forging a path towards a more sustainable retail landscape. Let’s make a positive impact together!

The Global Sustainable Enterprise System (GSES), a holistic sustainability rating system, and Euro Craft SAS, a leading B2B marketing and purchasing group for the construction and industry sectors, are thrilled to announce a strategic partnership. This collaboration promises significant advancements in sustainability and innovation within these industries.

The partnership between GSES and Euro Craft is set to leverage the strengths of both organizations, driving sustainability and efficiency in an evolving business environment. “We are thrilled to have established the partnership with Euro Craft and look forward to rolling out the GSES platform among the members of the Euro Craft network! This will help the Building products and materials industry become more sustainable,” says Kelly Ruigrok, CEO of the GSES.

GSES is helping organizations worldwide to make informed and sustainable choices. The platform benchmarks, measures, and externally verifies the sustainability performance of organisations, physical products, and assets worldwide. By utilising the Global Sustainable Enterprise Standard, GSES offers a universal language for measuring sustainability. The meta-standard integrates over 550 widely accepted standards and certificates, translating them into Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that are both measurable and comparable.

Euro Craft has the potential to significantly influence the sustainability sector. Established in 1998, Euro Craft has become a powerhouse in the B2B landscape, particularly within the construction and industry sectors. With a network of seven successful partners operating in over 25 countries, Euro Craft supports more than 3,000 members and 5,000 outlets, establishing its position as a leader in the European market. Euro Craft’s primary goal is to strengthen the market positions of its partner companies through strategic international cooperation, efficient logistics, and innovative solutions.

„We are very much looking positively on being able to drive forward the key future topic of sustainability within our industry together with GSES, an internationally positioned company,” says Peer de Lange, CEO of Euro Craft.

Euro Craft’s extensive network and influence within the industry, combined with GSES’s expertise in sustainability, will create significant opportunities for innovation and growth. The collaboration aims to foster sustainable practices across the construction and industry sectors.

We aim to create a greener world together!

Follow us on LinkedIn for future collaborative initiatives as we strive to make a significant impact together.

Collaboration Announced!

Exciting news! Conscyo, the ambitious advisory agency dedicated to driving positive change in business and the world, is teaming up with GSES. Together, we are on a mission to ignite transformation, honesty, and relevance in the business landscape.

At Conscyo, they inspire and push boundaries, encouraging both our peers and clients to embrace possibility and cultivate growth. Their focus on value, quality assurance, and sustainable transformation management aligns perfectly with GSES’s commitment to delivering innovative solutions to consumers.

In a rapidly evolving world, a fresh perspective is crucial for organizations to overcome challenges and achieve lasting success through sustainable transformation. Conscyo stands out by being disruptors, amplifying dissenting voices, and introducing real change that drives improvement.

They specialise in identifying blind spots and vulnerabilities, fostering open discussions on critical issues, all while maintaining respect and fostering genuine human connections. Their extensive expertise and unique capabilities enable them to support companies across all stages of digital transformations, projects, and initiatives.

What sets them apart is their adoption of “Conscious consulting” – a transformative mindset and approach that guarantees they deliver tangible and enduring value, leaving their clients pleasantly surprised. With a strong sense of accountability, coupled with curiosity and creativity, they prioritise ethical decision-making and transparency in all their endeavors.

We firmly believe in measuring the impact of our work beyond financial metrics, ensuring that every success story we create resonates with a higher purpose. Stay tuned for more exciting news and remarkable collaborations as we drive meaningful change in the business world!

Empowering Sustainability: CSU’s Journey with GSES at the Johan Cruijff ArenA
CSU, as the first supplier to Johan Cruijff ArenA, is implementing the GSES sustainability platform. The ‘Global Sustainable Enterprise System’ enables CSU to measure, verify, and assess its sustainability performance at Johan Cruijff ArenA. Through data-driven decision-making, CSU strives for increasingly sustainable operations.

GSES: A uniform approach to sustainability
Kelly Ruigrok founded GSES in 2017 to simplify the complexity of sustainability certifications and eco-labels. The platform translates more than 550 certificates into measurable KPIs, providing a universal language for sustainability. Organizations in over 110 countries, including leading names like Schiphol and Deloitte, rely on GSES to manage, enhance and communicate their sustainability performance.

Kelly Ruigrok states, “CSU’s choice for GSES demonstrates their progressiveness in sustainability. By embracing GSES, they show that measuring, managing, and verifying sustainability are not just ideals but actions being implemented. Together, we are working towards a world where sustainability is not only pursued but also proven and improved, step by step.”

CSU’s sustainable initiatives
CSU aims to be the most sustainable cleaning service provider in the Netherlands. From this leading position, CSU seeks to inspire and involve its industry peers, suppliers, subcontractors, and clients in its vision. The ambition goes beyond achieving CO2-neutral operations by 2030; the ultimate goal is to create a climate-positive impact.

CSU’s commitment to sustainability, combined with innovation and social engagement, affirms its leadership in the cleaning sector. CSU is dedicated to sustainability and social impact through various initiatives and collaborations. An example is the CSU Green & Social Impact dashboard, which provides real-time insight into the CO2 impact of its cleaning services at client sites, including the use of materials, logistics, on-site power consumption, and employee mobility.

Another recent initiative is the transition to Gloovy Eco Gloves, replacing traditional disposable gloves. These new gloves are produced in a more environmentally friendly way and are recyclable, significantly reducing CO2 emissions. Additionally, CSU collaborates with Johan Cruijff ArenA on the Wonderboyz project, where young people with physical or intellectual disabilities play a crucial role in keeping the stadium clean and presentable. Through this initiative, CSU and Johan Cruijff ArenA help young people with a distance to the labor market find rewarding jobs, contributing to their shared social commitment.

Over GSES
GSES is an all-in-one system for measuring, comparing, and verifying sustainability performance at the product, organization, and asset levels. Organizations implementing the GSES SAAS platform gain access to smart software tools and dashboards, enabling them to measure, evaluate, and improve their sustainability performance worldwide. The platform uses the Global Sustainable Enterprise Standard, a meta-standard that translates more than 500 standards and certifications into KPIs, making sustainability performance measurable and comparable.

About CSU
CSU is a leading cleaning service provider in the Netherlands, with offices in Uden, Amsterdam, and Groningen, among others. For sectors such as healthcare, education, and offices, CSU has been a reliable partner for 55 years. With over 15,000 employees, CSU focuses on sustainability, good employment practices, hospitality, and innovation. CSU has been awarded prestigious prizes multiple times, including the King Willem I Prize and the Keurmerk Schoon. More information can be found at www.csu.nl. Through these initiatives and collaborations, CSU continues to inspire the cleaning industry and lead towards a more sustainable future.

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CSU zet als eerste leverancier van de Johan Cruijff ArenA het duurzaamheidsplatform GSES in. Het ‘Global Sustainable Enterprise System’ stelt CSU mede in staat haar prestaties in de Johan Cruijff ArenA op het gebied van duurzaamheid te meten, verifiëren en te beoordelen. Door middel van data- gedreven besluitvorming streeft CSU naar een steeds duurzamere bedrijfsvoering.

GSES: Een uniforme aanpak voor duurzaamheid.

Kelly Ruigrok richtte in 2017 GSES op om de complexiteit van duurzaamheidscertificeringen en eco- labels te vereenvoudigen. Het platform vertaalt meer dan 550 certificaten naar meetbare KPI’s en biedt zo een universele taal voor duurzaamheid. Wereldwijd vertrouwen organisaties in meer dan 110 landen, met toonaangevende organisaties als Schiphol en Deloitte, op GSES voor het beheren en verbeteren van hun duurzaamheidsprestaties.

Kelly Ruigrok: “CSU’s keuze voor GSES toont hun vooruitstrevendheid in duurzaamheid. Door GSES te omarmen, laten ze zien dat meten, managen en verifiëren van duurzaamheid niet slechts idealen zijn, maar daadwerkelijk worden omgezet in actie. Samen werken we aan een wereld waarin duurzaamheid niet alleen wordt nagestreefd, maar ook bewezen en verbeterd wordt, stap voor stap.”

CSU’s Duurzame Initiatieven

CSU streeft ernaar de meest duurzame schoonmaakdienstverlener in Nederland te zijn. Vanuit deze vooraanstaande positie wil CSU haar branchegenoten, leveranciers, onderaannemers en klanten inspireren en meenemen in haar visie. De ambitie reikt verder dan alleen een CO2-neutrale bedrijfsvoering in 2030; het uiteindelijke doel is om klimaatpositieve impact creëren.

CSU’s toewijding aan duurzaamheid, gecombineerd met innovatie en maatschappelijke betrokkenheid, bevestigt haar positie als voorloper in de schoonmaaksector. CSU zet zich in voor duurzaamheid en maatschappelijke impact door verschillende initiatieven en samenwerkingen. Een voorbeeld hiervan is het CSU Green & Social Impact-dashboard. Dit dashboard biedt ‘real-time’ inzicht in de CO2-impact van haar schoonmaakdienstverlening bij de klant, inclusief het gebruik van materialen, logistiek, stroomverbruik op locatie, en de mobiliteit van medewerkers.

Een ander recent initiatief is de overstap naar Gloovy Eco Gloves, als vervanging voor de traditionele wegwerphandschoenen. Deze nieuwe handschoenen worden op een milieuvriendelijkere wijze geproduceerd en zijn recyclebaar, waardoor een aanzienlijke hoeveelheid CO2-uitstoot wordt bespaard.

Daarnaast werkt CSU, samen met de Johan Cruijff ArenA, aan het Wonderboyz-project, waarbij jongeren met een lichamelijke of verstandelijke beperking een essentiële rol spelen bij het schoon en representatief houden van het stadion. Door dit initiatief helpen CSU en de Johan Cruijff ArenA jongeren met een afstand tot de arbeidsmarkt, aan een fijne werkplek en draagt het bij aan de gezamenlijke maatschappelijke betrokkenheid.

Over GSES

GSES is een alles-in-één systeem voor het meten, vergelijken en verifiëren van duurzaamheidsprestaties op product-, organisatie- en assetniveau. Organisaties die het SAAS-platform van GSES implementeren krijgen toegang tot slimme software tools en dashboard waarmee zij wereldwijd in staat zijn hun duurzaamheidsprestaties te meten, evalueren en verbeteren. Het platform gebruikt de Global Sustainable Enterprise Standard, een metanorm die meer dan 500 normen en certificaten vertaalt naar KPI’s, waardoor duurzaamheidsprestaties meetbaar en vergelijkbaar worden.

Over CSU

CSU is een toonaangevende schoonmaakdienstverlener in Nederland, met vestigingen in onder andere Uden, Amsterdam, en Groningen. Voor sectoren zoals zorg, onderwijs en kantoren is CSU al 55 jaar een betrouwbare partner. Met ruim 15.000 medewerkers richt CSU zich op duurzaamheid, goed werkgeverschap, hospitality en innovatie. CSU is meerdere malen bekroond met prestigieuze prijzen, zoals de Koning Willem I Prijs en het Keurmerk Schoon. Meer informatie is te vinden op www.csu.nl.

Met deze initiatieven en samenwerkingen blijft CSU de schoonmaakbranche inspireren en naar een duurzamere toekomst leiden.

In the realm of humanitarian aid, each individual contribution is invaluable. Diederik Rodenburg, a dedicated professional with a passion for sustainability and a keen eye for facility management, plays an essential role within the Red Cross in the Netherlands. The Red Cross provides emergency assistance, supports vulnerable people nationally and internationally, and contributes to improving lives in crisis situations. With his diverse background, including experience in art transportation, Diederik brings versatility to the Red Cross as a facility manager, where he combines his passion for sustainability with his professional duties.

For Diederik, sustainability is not just a buzzword; it’s a way of life that he actively promotes within the Red Cross. His involvement in shaping a sustainability policy and establishing a sustainability working group demonstrates his commitment to embedding sustainable practices as an integral part of the organisational culture, from purchasing sustainable energy to buying second-hand refurbished furniture. Diederik emphasises the importance of sustainability within the organisation, stating, “The increasing frequency of natural disasters due to climate change is undeniable, and as the Red Cross, we are ready to provide assistance and ensure that people are better prepared for the consequences of any disaster. In our daily work at the Red Cross, we experience the direct impact of climate change, which is why we strive as an organisation to minimise our ecological footprint and contribute as little as possible to climate change.”

The Social Aid & Sustainability Benchmark Project marks a crucial step forward in the pursuit of sustainability. Non-profit organisations such as Partos, Fair Climate Fund, and the Red Cross are joining forces with GSES (The Global Sustainable Enterprise System), a platform that supports organisations in measuring, reporting, and externally validating sustainability performance, to develop a sector-specific benchmark. This enables non-profit organizations to measure, evaluate, compare their sustainability performance and communicate the impact of their projects externally.

For Diederik, this project represents an opportunity to bring about positive change both within and outside the organisation. In addition to providing a framework for measuring and communicating sustainability results in the non-profit sector, which strengthens the transparency and credibility of humanitarian projects, Diederik also hopes to increase awareness and encourage behavioral change. Through accurate measurements and transparent reporting, he hopes to bring about a paradigm shift in the way organizations approach sustainability.

Rotterdam, April 11, 2024

Social Organizations Sign On to the Social AID & Sustainability Benchmark Pilot by GSES, Building Bridges, and Data for Good

Today marks a milestone for the International Cooperation sector, as key players unite to take a crucial step towards a more sustainable future. In Rotterdam, prominent organizations such as the Dutch Red Cross, Save the Children, War Child, Oxfam Novib, Cordaid, and Fair Climate Fund have joined forces, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with GSES and Data for Good for the launch of the Social AID & Sustainability benchmark pilot.

This initiative arises from the urgent need to systematically report on sustainability goals within the International Cooperation sector and to enable comparisons of results. Additionally, social organizations like Oxfam Novib have long been urging businesses and governments to adhere to sustainability standards, making it a logical step for the sector to do the same. The pilot focuses on developing a sector-specific sustainability benchmark at both the organizational and project levels, specifically examining the impact of organizations on both climate and people, both in the Netherlands and beyond.

The initiators GSES, Building Bridges, and Data for Good, along with supporting partners such as Partos, the SDG 1 Alliance, SDG 7 Alliance, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Number 5 Foundation, are combining their efforts to strengthen sustainability initiatives within the sector.

Participating social organizations will closely collaborate with GSES – Global Sustainable Enterprise System, an organization that has developed an internationally recognized platform to support organizations and NGOs in managing, monitoring, and verifying sustainability performance. By implementing a sector-specific benchmark, the participating organizations aim to make their sustainability goals and results transparent and comparable. While various social organizations have already set an example, the hope is to inspire many others to follow suit, thereby enhancing the positive impact on communities worldwide.

“With this pilot, social organizations are demonstrating leadership by collectively embarking on a new sustainable path. Sustainable practices go beyond reducing flights and separating waste; it presents a unique opportunity to strengthen the SDG movement in the Netherlands so that we can collectively achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030,” said Boris van Westering, Building Bridges Advisory.

“The Social AID & Sustainability benchmark pilot project is an attempt to learn how to take meaningful action for people while balancing the needs of the environment and understanding the interconnectedness of the two. This pilot is a step forward for cross-sector collaboration and interdisciplinary action,” stated Shivalika Madgulkar, Project Manager.

“Sustainability means making choices. The question for us as a humanitarian organization is, ‘how much more expensive can a sustainable option be?’ These are often difficult questions. Therefore, it’s even more important to understand the impact of your organization on both climate and society. This project is a great opportunity to make that insight clear and to benchmark within the sector,” said Diederik Rodenburg, Facility Manager at the Red Cross.

“As a country, we are committed to reducing poverty worldwide and here in the Netherlands through the SDGs. I expect we can make a significant movement by making the impact of this nationally and internationally operating humanitarian organization clear, and exploring how emergency assistance can lead to sustainable change in vulnerable areas and help reduce global poverty,” said Marjolein van Gerven, SDG 1 Coordinator.

For more information:

Shivalika Madgulkar, Project Manager GSES
Email: shivalika@gses-system.com
+3168961244

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Rotterdam, 11 April 2024

Maatschappelijke organisaties tekenen de Social AID & Sustainability benchmark pilot van GSES, Building Bridges en Data for Good

Vandaag markeert een mijlpaal voor de Internationale Samenwerkingssector, want belangrijke spelers hebben zich verenigd om een cruciale stap te zetten richting een duurzamere toekomst. In Rotterdam hebben vooraanstaande organisaties zoals het Nederlandse Rode Kruis, Save the Children, War Child, Oxfam Novib, Cordaid en Fair Climate Fund, de handen ineengeslagen en een Memorandum van Overeenstemming (MoU) ondertekend met GSES en Data for Good voor de lancering van het Social AID & Sustainability benchmark pilot.

Dit initiatief komt voort uit de dringende behoefte om systematischer te rapporteren over duurzaamheidsdoelen binnen de Internationale Samenwerkingssector en resultaten te kunnen vergelijken. Daarnaast roepen maatschappelijke organisaties zoals Oxfam Novib bedrijven en overheden al jaren op zich te houden aan duurzaamheid standaarden, het is daarom een logische stap om zelf als sector datzelfde te doen. De pilot is gericht op het ontwikkelen van een sectorspecifieke duurzaamheidsbenchmark op organisatie en projectniveau. Specifiek wordt gekeken naar de impact van de organisatie op zowel het klimaat als op de mens en maatschappij in Nederland en daarbuiten.

De initiatiefnemers GSES, Building Bridges en Data for Good, samen met ondersteunende partners zoals Partos, de SDG 1 Alliantie, SDG 7 Alliantie, Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken en de Number 5 Foundation, bundelen hun krachten om de duurzaamheidsinspanningen binnen de sector te versterken.

De deelnemende maatschappelijke organisaties zullen nauw samenwerken met GSES – Global Sustainable Enterprise System, een organisatie die een internationaal erkend platform heeft ontwikkeld om organisaties en NGO’s te ondersteunen bij het beheren, monitoren en verifiëren van duurzaamheidsprestaties. Door een sectorspecifieke benchmark te implementeren, streven de deelnemende organisaties ernaar om hun duurzaamheidsdoelen en -resultaten transparant te maken en onderling te kunnen vergelijken. Terwijl verschillende maatschappelijke organisaties ons al zijn voorgegaan, hopen we dat wij hiermee een voorbeeld te zijn wat velen anderen aanzet om te volgen, zodat de positieve impact op gemeenschappen over de hele wereld vergroot zal worden.

“Met deze pilot tonen maatschappelijke organisaties leiderschap door samen een nieuwe duurzame weg in te slaan. Duurzaam werken is meer dan minder vliegen en afval scheiden alleen. Het biedt een unieke kans om de SDG-beweging in Nederland te versterken zodat wij samen de Duurzame Ontwikkelingsdoelen in 2030 gaan behalen.” Boris van Westering, Building Bridges Advies.

“Social AID & Sustainability benchmark pilot project is een poging om te leren hoe je zinvolle acties kunt ondernemen voor mensen en tegelijkertijd de behoeften van het milieu in evenwicht kunt houden en kunt begrijpen dat deze twee nauw met elkaar verbonden zijn. Deze pilot is een stap voorwaarts voor intersectorale samenwerking en interdisciplinaire actie.” Shivalika Madgulkar, Project Manager.

“Verduurzamen betekent dat je keuzes moet maken. De vraag voor ons als hulporganisatie is “hoeveel duurder mag een duurzame optie zijn?” Dat zijn vaak lastige vraagstukken. Daarom des te belangrijker om inzicht te hebben wat de impact van je organisatie is op gebied van klimaat en op mens en maatschappij. Dit project is een mooie kans om dat inzichtelijk te maken en binnen de sector met elkaar te kunnen benchmarken.” Diederik Rodenburg, Manager Facilitaire Zaken van het Rode Kruis.

“Als land hebben wij ons middels de SDGs gecommitteerd aan het terugdringen van armoede wereldwijd en in Nederland zelf. Ik verwacht dat we een belangrijke beweging kunnen maken door de impact van deze nationaal- en internationaal opererende hulporganisatie inzichtelijk te maken en te verkennen op welke manier de inzet van noodhulp kan leiden tot een duurzame verandering in kwetsbare gebieden en het terugdringen van armoede wereldwijd.” Marjolein van Gerven, SDG 1 Coordinator.

Voor meer informatie:

Shivalika Madgulkar, Project Manager GSES

Email: shivalika@gses-system.com

+3168961244

Products at Kruidvat and Trekpleister retail formulas will soon feature independent validated sustainability information. AS Watson Benelux, the parent company of Kruidvat and Trekpleister, has entered into a collaboration with GSES for this purpose. Each product will be measured by GSES against the same standard and data points, including energy and water usage and recyclability. The data provided by AS Watson Benelux and its suppliers for this purpose will be independently audited by recognized certifying bodies via Audit Independer.
Consumers shopping at Kruidvat and Trekpleister will soon be able to easily access information about the sustainability of a product, both online and in-store. This information can be a useful guideline for consumers looking to make more sustainable choices.

“We are very proud of this collaboration with AS Watson Benelux,” says Kelly Ruigrok, CEO and founder of GSES. She continues, “We see that we are providing a solution for the retail and wholesale sectors by enabling verified product data on the one hand and contributing to regulatory reporting for our clients on the other. Kruidvat wants to provide customers with more clarity on how they can make the world a little better with their purchasing power! This positions AS Watson Benelux as a leader in transparency and a driver of a more sustainable world.”
“We want to assist our customers in making more sustainable choices. From research, we know that a large portion of our customers would like to consider sustainability when making their purchasing decisions but find it challenging to assess the actual sustainability of a product. They struggle to find and (re)recognize more sustainable products. Additionally, not everyone is familiar with the various certifications that highlight the sustainability of products. The nature impact rating from GSES will help our customers make more sustainable choices. This meta-standard provides a clear view of the degree of sustainability and does so in a recognizable, universal manner. This is an incredibly important step for us, and we look forward to sharing this with our customers.” – Leendert van Bergeijk, Sustainability Manager, AS Watson Benelux.

About AS Watson Benelux
AS Watson is part of the AS Watson Group, the world’s largest international health and beauty retailer with over 16,000 stores, 12 retail brands in 28 markets, and more than 130,000 employees worldwide. AS Watson is a market leader in health & beauty. You may know the retail formulas in the Benelux: Kruidvat, Trekpleister, Prijsmepper, ICI PARIS XL, and Pour Vous.

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.

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.

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.