In the efforts geared towards nature conservation, one of the most pressing challenges is managing and compensating for the carbon footprint generated by everyday business operations. Carbon footprint compensation is a crucial part of nature conservation and a vital practice for ensuring the long-term health of our planet. As countries and companies alike grapple with their environmental responsibilities, some have taken significant strides in mitigating their impact on the environment. Among these, Dutch companies have emerged as leaders, demonstrating innovative and effective approaches to carbon compensation.
Spring in De Hoge Veluwe National Park, one of the most popular national parks in the Netherlands. AI generated picture.
This blog focuses on how Dutch companies are addressing their carbon footprints, highlighting strategies from industry leaders like Wasa, Triodos Bank, Landal GreenParks, Dopper, and Yoghurt Barn. These companies not only compensate for their emissions but also contribute to broader environmental goals, setting a benchmark for sustainability.
The importance of carbon footprint compensation
The carbon footprint of a company refers to the total amount of greenhouse gases (GHGs) emitted directly or indirectly by its activities. These emissions contribute significantly to climate instability. To mitigate this, companies must reduce their emissions and make use of carbon compensation—the method of compensating for hard-to-abate emissions by investing in projects that reduce or avoid CO₂, such as reforestation or renewable energy projects.
DGB team member distributing seedlings in a nursery in Kenya, supporting reforestation efforts. Hongera Reforestation Project, DGB.
Carbon compensation is crucial for sustainability. It allows companies to neutralise their environmental impact with carbon units, support the transition towards a low-carbon economy, and foster sustainable development. Furthermore, it aligns with global climate goals, such as those outlined in the Paris Agreement. Carbon compensation through nature-based solutions also offers many benefits in addition to carbon mitigation, such as biodiversity enhancement, habitat restoration, and local community empowerment.
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The Netherland’s path to carbon neutrality
In the Netherlands, the government is actively engaged in promoting carbon neutrality. The Dutch government has set ambitious climate targets, including a 55% reduction in GHG emissions by 2030 and achieving climate neutrality by 2050. These targets are embedded in a well-developed climate policy framework focused on a circular economy, offshore wind, and solar energy. Despite these efforts, the country’s energy supply remains heavily dependent on fossil fuels, necessitating further action to meet these goals.
Currently, only 33 Dutch companies have committed to Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) net-zero targets, with 142 having approved targets. Recent data from the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) reveals that a relatively small number of Dutch businesses are currently climate-neutral. A survey conducted by CBS found that only about 1.5% of companies with five or more employees in sectors such as industry, automotive, retail, and services are fully climate-neutral.
This means that the Netherlands still has a significant gap to bridge if it aims to achieve its climate-neutrality target by 2050. The CBS survey, which excluded very small businesses and self-employed individuals, also found that a large group—nearly 37%—of companies are uncertain about their CO2 emissions status. More than a quarter of businesses indicated they are climate-neutral only to a small or very small extent, underlining the need for deeper and more comprehensive corporate action.
This survey marks the first time CBS has published such data, which they describe as a ‘zero measurement’ of the country's corporate climate neutrality. According to CBS Chief Economist Peter Hein van Mulligen, the current level of corporate engagement raises doubts about whether the Netherlands will reach its 2050 goal. Van Mulligen stresses that having ambitious goals is not enough; the country will need to see thousands of companies become fully climate-neutral each year to meet the target.
The challenges facing Dutch companies on the road to carbon neutrality are varied. Many businesses cite the high costs of adopting sustainable alternatives, uncertainties about economic conditions, and unclear government policies as significant obstacles. Despite these hurdles, there are positive signs—more than two-thirds of Dutch companies plan to increase their investment in sustainability in the coming year. Businesses expect to focus on improving energy efficiency, adopting circular production processes, and increasing sustainable purchasing. On balance, companies are preparing to spend more on becoming carbon-neutral this year compared to last year, reflecting a growing commitment to sustainability.
While the Netherlands is making significant progress on its path to carbon neutrality, achieving these goals will require continued commitment from both the government and the private sector. The country’s robust climate policies provide a solid foundation, but broader corporate participation is essential to meet the ambitious targets set for 2030 and beyond.
Read more: Leading German companies: their carbon footprints and reporting practices
Case studies
1. Wasa: a 100% CO₂ compensated brand
Wasa, a well-known brand in the food industry, has taken robust steps to ensure its operations are fully compensated for their carbon emissions.
A delivery vehicle travels along a road passing through grain fields. AI generated picture.
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Commitment to sustainability: Wasa is committed to using 100% renewable energy across its operations. This commitment is the cornerstone of its sustainability strategy, ensuring that all its production processes are powered by clean energy sources.
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Carbon compensation strategies: Wasa’s carbon compensation strategy is comprehensive. The company measures all emissions generated from the field to the shelf, including those from raw materials, energy consumption, packaging, and transportation. After rigorous efforts to reduce emissions through energy-saving programmes and green logistics, Wasa invests in global compensation projects. These projects, such as the Rio Floresta d'Oeste hydropower initiative in Brazil and the Pawan Wind energy project in India, help compensate for its remaining emissions, ensuring that Wasa operates as a fully CO₂ compensated brand.
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Measuring and managing emissions: Wasa employs a meticulous approach to measuring and managing its emissions. The company tracks CO₂ emissions across its entire supply chain, from the sourcing of raw materials to the delivery of products. This data-driven approach allows Wasa to identify key areas where emissions can be reduced and compensated, leading to more targeted and effective reduction strategies.
Read more: Wasa's crisp path to carbon neutrality
2. Triodos Bank: pioneering nature-based solutions
Triodos Bank, renowned for its ethical banking practices, is at the forefront of integrating sustainability into financial services.
Heather fields in De Hoge Veluwe National Park, home to deer and rich biodiversity. AI generated picture.
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Broader net-zero ambition: Triodos Bank has set a bold target to achieve net-zero emissions by 2035. This ambition reflects the bank’s broader commitment to sustainability, which extends beyond its immediate operations to the impact of its loans and investments.
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Carbon compensation strategies: The bank’s carbon compensation strategy is innovative and deeply integrated into its business model. Triodos focuses on nature-based solutions, investing in projects that not only compensate for carbon emissions but also restore ecosystems. These investments include reforestation projects and initiatives that enhance biodiversity, making the bank’s carbon compensation efforts both impactful and sustainable.
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Holistic approach: Triodos Bank adopts a holistic approach to emissions reduction, considering not only carbon emissions but also the broader health of ecosystems and the inclusion of marginalised communities. This approach ensures that the bank’s efforts contribute to long-term environmental and social sustainability.
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Innovative lending for nature restoration: Triodos Bank’s corporate finance team has developed new business models to catalyse investment in nature-based solutions. By raising capital directly from investors for projects that restore natural habitats, the bank is pioneering a new approach to sustainable finance.
Read more: The carbon-neutral future of commercial real estate
3. Landal GreenParks: carbon neutrality in leisure
Landal GreenParks, a leading holiday resort company, has made a firm commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2030.
Solar panels, a technology at the forefront of renewable energy innovation. AI generated picture.
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Carbon neutral by 2030: Landal GreenParks has set a clear target to become carbon neutral by 2030. This goal is part of the company’s broader sustainability strategy, which includes reducing its environmental impact across all operations.
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Carbon compensation strategies: Landal GreenParks’ carbon strategy involves a mix of emission reduction and compensation projects. The company focuses on reducing emissions at the source through energy efficiency measures and the use of renewable energy. For its remaining emissions, Landal GreenParks invests in carbon projects, such as tree planting initiatives and the development of nature areas within their resorts.
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The Green Pledge: Under its Green Pledge, Landal GreenParks has committed to reducing single-use plastics, converting resort-owned vehicles to electric and sourcing electricity from renewable sources. These initiatives are designed to minimise the company’s carbon footprint, contributing to its goal of carbon neutrality.
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Sustainable travel advocacy: Landal GreenParks is also dedicated to promoting sustainable travel. The company encourages holidaymakers to adopt eco-friendly practices during their stays, helping to raise awareness of the importance of sustainability in the tourism industry.
Read more: Aligning with CSRD: the smart move for future-proofing your business
4. Dopper: From carbon neutral to net zero
Dopper, a company known for its sustainable water bottles, has gone beyond carbon neutrality to achieve net-zero emissions.
Close-up of a water spring. AI generated picture.
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Achieving carbon neutrality: Dopper became a certified carbon-neutral company in January 2022, marking a significant milestone in its sustainability journey. This achievement was the result of rigorous efforts to reduce and compensate for the company’s carbon emissions.
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Carbon compensation strategies: Dopper’s carbon compensation strategy is comprehensive, covering all aspects of its operations. For emissions that cannot be eliminated, Dopper invests in a long-term reforestation project in China.
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Emission reduction strategies: Dopper has implemented several strategies to reduce its emissions through the use of renewable energy, sustainable transportation, and energy-efficient practices. These include producing its Dopper Original bottle entirely emission-free, delivering webshop orders by bicycle in Dutch cities, and ensuring that the majority of its employees commute emission-free.
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Going beyond carbon neutrality: Dopper’s commitment to sustainability goes beyond achieving carbon neutrality. The company has adopted net-zero targets, aligning its efforts with the Science Based Targets initiative. This commitment ensures that Dopper continues to reduce its carbon footprint while also compensating for any remaining emissions.
Read more: Overcoming sustainability challenges: practical solutions for your business
5. Yoghurt Barn: sustainable practices in the food industry
Yoghurt Barn, a company committed to sustainability in the food industry, has implemented effective carbon compensation strategies to mitigate its environmental impact.
A man picking an apple from a tree in an orchard. AI generated picture.
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Introduction to Yoghurt Barn: Yoghurt Barn is a leading example of how the food industry can adopt sustainable practices. The company has made significant strides in reducing its carbon footprint while maintaining the quality and taste of its products.
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Carbon compensation strategies: Yoghurt Barn’s carbon compensation strategy involves compensating for its emissions through various initiatives. The company’s approach ensures that it compensates for its carbon footprint while also contributing to broader environmental goals.
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Impact on the food industry: Yoghurt Barn’s commitment to sustainability sets a strong example for the food industry. By prioritising carbon compensation and reducing its environmental impact, the company is helping to drive change in an industry that has traditionally been associated with high carbon emissions.
Read more: Trading carbon, trading up: the public companies transforming sustainability
Become nature positive with DGB Group
Carbon footprint compensation is not just a necessary step for mitigating the impacts of environmental instability; it is a critical component of building a sustainable future. The Dutch companies highlighted in this blog are exemplars of how businesses can take responsibility for their environmental impact and lead the way in sustainable practices. Their innovative approaches to carbon compensation, ranging from renewable energy initiatives to nature-based solutions, demonstrate that it is possible to balance economic success with environmental stewardship.
The journey toward a sustainable future requires more than the efforts of a few companies. It requires a collective commitment from businesses, governments, and individuals alike. This is where partnerships with organisations like DGB Group become vital.
DGB’s nature-based projects, such as reforestation, afforestation, and energy-efficient cookstove projects, offer a tangible way for companies to not only compensate for their carbon emissions but also contribute to the restoration of ecosystems and the wellbeing of communities. By investing in our nature-based projects, you are supporting initiatives that are designed for long-term sustainability, with impacts that extend far beyond mere carbon mitigation. Our initiatives and the carbon units they generate adhere to the highest environmental and social standards, ensuring that every investment leads to real, measurable, and positive outcomes.
The commitment to carbon footprint compensation is a step toward creating a greener, more sustainable world. As we move forward, it is crucial for more companies to adopt these strategies, seek out partnerships with project developers like DGB, and integrate sustainability into their core business practices.
Join us in this mission, explore how our projects are making a difference, and be part of a legacy that truly benefits both the planet and the people.
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