Towards a CO₂ neutral government

The CO₂ Performance Ladder is a tool that can help the municipality in reducing its CO₂ levels. For the town, it is a way to head for a CO₂ neutral government. Councillor Ruwhof: “We are already among the top green municipalities in the Gelderland province, with many committed employees in our organisation. So there was a lot of positive, excited feedback and we immediately came up with applicable reduction measures.” The municipality has set various main goals, including a 90% CO₂ reduction in 2019 compared to 2014 and being climate-neutral by 2040. The town will also procure 100% green energy generated in the Netherlands.

 

CO₂ reduction plan

Substantial gains can still be made in energy savings and sustainable energy. The municipality has taken inventory of various options to further reduce emissions in their CO₂ reduction plan. Councillor Ruwhof: “We are already quite involved when it comes to making real estate more sustainable, but there are plenty of measures left to kick it up a notch. We also set a number of sub goals, like lowering the use of gas and energy in our offices, saving on fuel consumption in our company vehicles and materials and reducing our business mileage.”

 

Use and continued development

The Foundation for Climate Friendly Procurement and Business (SKAO) is responsible for all matters concerning the performance ladder, including its use and continued development. Gijs Termeer, manager SKAO: “This marks the first time in the performance ladders existence that a municipality has certified itself. Renkum can be proud of this remarkable feat as it shows courage and decisiveness.”

 

 

CO₂ Performance Ladder

The goal of the CO₂ Performance Ladder is to stimulate organisations to reduce their own CO₂ levels and explore novel ways to further reduce emissions. The ladder then stimulates organisations to actually carry out the measures , transfer the knowledge in a transparent way and together with employees, knowledge institutions, social parties and other government bodies actively search for new ways to further reduce emissions.