CO₂ Performance Ladder
Grijsen is systematically working to reduce its CO₂ emissions and energy consumption. We are certified under the CO₂ Performance Ladder, the Dutch sustainability framework that enables organisations to work towards measurable reductions.
In 2026, we transitioned to the updated 4.0 handbook and achieved Level 1 certification.
For us, this certificate is not just a framed A4 sheet on the wall, but a practical way of keeping ourselves on our toes: first measure, then improve, and only take those measures that make sense both for the climate and for our business operations.
What is the CO₂ Performance Ladder?
The CO₂ Performance Ladder is a CO₂ management system. It requires an organisation to assess its energy consumption and CO₂ emissions (its carbon footprint), set specific reduction targets, monitor progress and communicate openly about this.
Since the release of version 4.0 of the handbook, the Ladder has used ‘steps’ rather than ‘levels’. At step 1, an organisation focuses on the CO₂ emissions from its own operations. The Ladder is administered by the independent Foundation for Climate-Friendly Procurement & Business (SKAO/ Stichting Klimaatvriendelijk Aanbesteden & Ondernemen (SKAO).).
Our carbon footprint in 2025
With the transition to Handbook 4.0, 2025 is our base year.
The bulk of our emissions falls under Scope 1: natural gas for heating and fuel for our company buses. Our electricity at Lorentzstraat is entirely green, generated from solar energy in the Netherlands.
We calculate our Scope 2 (electricity) using both prescribed methods, to ensure a transparent and complete picture:
- Market-based (based on our contractual purchases): 47.0 tonnes of CO₂. Our own and purchased electricity is green Dutch solar power (0 grams).
- Location-based: 44.5 tonnes of CO₂. The remaining Scope 2 emissions come from charging vehicles whilst on the road, based on the average Dutch electricity mix.
Method | Scope 1 Natural gas and fuel | Scope 2 Electricity | Total |
Market-based (for buildings) | 41,5 ton | 5,5 ton | 47,0 ton |
Location-based (for vehicles) | 41,5 ton | 3,0 ton | 44,5 ton |
What we’ve already achieved
Since our baseline year of 2020, we’ve almost halved our CO₂ emissions per euro of turnover, whilst our turnover has grown by over 60 per cent.
- We’ve made our vehicle fleet more sustainable. Our passenger cars are electric or hybrid; all our field staff drive a more CO₂-friendly alternative.
- Fully self-generated solar power. Our solar panels generate over 155,000 kWh annually. All the electricity we use at Lorentzstraat is green Dutch solar power.
- Green electricity contract for the electricity we purchase from the grid.
Our reduction targets for 2026–2029
We are working towards two parallel objectives: a CO₂ reduction target and an energy reduction target. We do not seek further reductions at any cost – measures must remain economically viable.
CO₂ reduction (2025–2029)
Our biggest concrete step is switching our company minibuses to HVO100, a cleaner fuel that we can use without any modifications to the vehicles. This will reduce our total carbon footprint by around one-fifth. In addition, we are investigating the possibility of making our offices gas-free.
Energy reduction (2025–2029)
As well as CO₂, we are also focusing on our energy consumption, expressed as energy efficiency (gigajoules per million euros of turnover). We aim for steady improvement, primarily by reducing gas consumption in our offices and making our lighting more sustainable.
Where a measure is not technically or financially viable – such as heating our large production halls with electricity – we make a conscious decision not to implement it (yet), and we explain why.
Further information
Grijsen’s data can also be found on the website of SKAO, the independent administrator of the CO₂ Performance Ladder.
