CO2 performance ladder

As a sustainable organization, HHNK works with the_{CO2 performance ladder} of the Foundation for Climate-Friendly Procurement & Business (SKAO). On the one hand, this means that we reward companies that take_CO2reduction seriously with a fictitious discount on the registration price when tendering. On the other hand, HHNK also applies the_{CO2 performance ladder} to its own organization by taking measures to reduce the emissions we ourselves cause.

Procurement and the CO_{2 Performance Ladder}

The_{CO₂ performance ladder} is a tool that helps companies reduce their_CO₂ emissions. HHNK has been using this tool for several years in tenders in the civil engineering sector, where we award contracts based on the best price-quality ratio.

HHNK rewards the ambition level of bidders in a tendering procedure with a registration advantage: a fictitious discount on the registration price. A bidder expresses its ambition level in a step on the_{CO2 performance ladder}. The higher the step (there are a maximum of 5 steps), the higher the registration advantage. HHNK determines in the tender documents how much notional benefit can be earned per step.

In market segments where the_{CO2 performance ladder}is still unknown, we do not immediately set the bar at the highest level (level 5), but start at level 3, which is considered the entry level. We will gradually raise the level of ambition to the highest level.

Sustainable water board

In its Climate Policy (K35), HHNK has stated its ambition to be emissions- and energy-neutral by 2035. The CO2 Performance Ladder helps us work toward these goals in a structured way and is based on four approaches:

• Provide insightinto CO2 emissions by closely monitoring energy consumption. Based on energy consumption, HHNK calculates a CO2 footprint.
• Identifying measures to reduceCO2 emissions. These measures are evaluated annually to assess their effectiveness.
• Use internal and external communicationsto publicize HHNK’s CO2 emissions and the measures being taken to reduce them.
• Participate, through collaboration, in initiatives aimed at reducing CO2 emissions within the sector or beyond.

More information

HHNK was the first water authority in the Netherlands to obtain certification for the CO2 Performance Ladder (Level 3). Since 2025, we have been certified at Level 1 in accordance with Manual 4.0. Please review the documents below regarding our goals and CO2 reduction policy.