Today, 10 CEOs of notable Dutch companies are committing to science-based climate targets, the Net-Zero Science Based Targets (SBTi) initiative. With this, companies are operating the entire value chain in line with the Paris Climate Agreement and contributing to limiting the global temperature rise to 1.5°C.

The signing took place during the CEO breakfast prior to the Purpose Day XL conference, led by UN Global Compact Vice President Paul Pullman. The companies that joined are: Intergamma, Trivium Packaging, Dura Vermeer, Koninklijke Ahrend, TBI, Verstegen Spices & Sauces, EVBox, Media.Monks, CSU, Tzorg, Zizo and TAUW.

Firms committed to setting short- and long-term emissions reduction targets are required to achieve net zero GHG emissions across their value chain by 2050 at the latest, independently validated by SBT technical experts. This means that emissions must be reduced rapidly and halved by 2030. By 2050, these organizations must have nearly zero emissions and any remaining emissions that cannot be eliminated must be neutralized. The SBTi Net-Zero standard is the most ambitious target companies can set today and covers a company’s emissions across the entire value chain. Most companies will need to be at least 90% deep decarbonization to reach net zero by 2050.

Paul Pullman:The IPCC’s latest report is the strongest warning yet that only immediate and large-scale action can prevent a complete climate meltdown. It is very hopeful that today these companies will commit to credible, measurable, and science-based goals for minimizing climate change. I am very supportive of their call for all companies that do not yet have credible, science-based targets to join, as well as their call for governments to help make ambitious climate action business as usual for companies.“

VNO-NCW supports the call and was present at the signing. “It is very good that this new group of companies will adhere to the goal of net zero in 2050 and will also monitor and achieve this through this scientific standard. The business community has committed itself to the Paris Agreements and the use of SBTi increases public confidence in this commitment. It has become the gold standard in this regard.” says Focco Vijselaar, General Manager of VNO-NCW.

Eneco was the first Dutch company to have net-zero goals certified by the SBTi, and the CEO as Tempelmann explained during breakfast: “It is our responsibility to keep our Earth habitable for future generations, there is no ‘B’ planet. The latest scientific insights show that we are in a race against time and that drastic action is now required. I call on all companies to make transparent the carbon budget they are still allowed to issue and which “Fit a 1.5-degree emissions trajectory for their sector. Accordingly, to implement an externally validated roadmap for climate action that fits. Every company must take responsibility and together we make a difference.”

About SBTi

He. She Science-Based Goals initiative (SBTi) is a collaboration between CDP (Climate Disclosure Project), the United Nations Global Compact, the World Resources Institute and the World Wide Fund for Nature. Science-Based Targets (SBT) are science-based targets that provide in-depth analysis of emissions and reduction plans. SBTi independently assesses and verifies companies’ CO2 emission targets against the latest climate science and based on scientific standards.

About the CEO breakfast

The CEO breakfast and corporate commitment attendees were organized by the United Nations Global Compact Network Netherlands, IMPACTING. Today’s Sustainability Tips, organization Purpose Day XL Folkert van der Molen (Van der Meulen EIS) and Charlotte de Voogd of H+K Strategies. Vegan Breakfast was sponsored by Vermaat Groep.