Dutch construction industry takes few CO2-reducing measures that lead to zero-emission construction

Too few incentives for sector to accelerate sustainable transition

The Dutch construction sector is still taking few CO2-reducing measures that lead to zero-emission building. This is evident from the Report on the 2020 Measurement List of the Foundation for Climate Friendly Procurement and Business (SKAO). Although construction companies are taking measures to make offices more sustainable, progress on the construction site is slower. In particular, the electrification of construction equipment is not progressing. This is necessary to reduce nitrogen emissions and to comply with climate and clean air agreements, as well as to achieve an emission-free construction site. It is the fifth year that SKAO conducts this study among organizations and companies who are working on reducing their CO2 emissions using the CO2 Performance Ladder.

Gijs Termeer, director of SKAO: ‘The need to build emission-free is high. In 2030 the government wants the sector to work emission-free. We see that companies want to become more sustainable. The most obvious and accessible steps have been taken, such as switching to green electricity. But larger investments, such as the purchase of electric construction equipment, are lagging behind. One of the reasons for this is the lack of an incentive from clients. Investments must be made in order to make sustainability a reality, but companies are insufficiently rewarded for sustainable behavior in the awarding of contracts. Without visibility on contracts that reward working with fewer emissions or emission-free work, construction companies cannot make the necessary investments in emission-free equipment, such as electric shovels, excavators and trucks. As a result, the demand for such equipment will not take off.

Green power most applied
Purchasing green power’ is the most frequently applied measure to achieve CO2 reduction, according to the Report on Measures 2020. 97% of the organizations buy at least 75% of the electricity green. This happens mainly in commercial buildings, offices and on construction sites. The list of measures also shows that a limited number of organizations are experimenting with the electrification of one or two pieces of equipment and vehicles. Termeer: ‘We see that the electrification of equipment has not increased this year in comparison with last year. Sometimes it has even decreased. Given the urgency to make the sector more sustainable, the expectation was that electrification would go faster. But because electric construction equipment is hardly available or expensive, and clients do not sufficiently reward investment in emission-free work, we see little movement in this area.

Companies get to work with the CO2-Performanceladder
SKAO conducted research among companies certified for the CO2-Performanceladder. There are now 1,092 organizations certified on this sustainability instrument that helps companies and organizations to structurally reduce their CO2 emissions, within their own operations, in projects and in the chain.

As part of the certification process, organizations set CO2 reduction targets. Subsequently, the necessary measures are taken to actually achieve this CO2 reduction. These measures are registered in a so-called Measure List. This creates a comprehensive overview of the measures taken. Report Measurement list 2020 was carried out by SQ Consult on behalf of SKAO.