Dutch power company Nuon
NL: Royal van Zanten on sustainability and energy efficiency
”The biggest contribution we can make”
For Royal Van Zanten, being environmentally responsible means more than just energy self-sufficiency and making our energy portfolio more environmentally friendly. "We want to make our own products – the plants – more energy efficient. We create varieties that can grow with less heat or less cooling. That’s what we breed for. This is how we enable our customers to cultivate in a more energy efficient manner,” according to Sjoukje Heimovaara, CEO of the company. According to hin, ths is the most important contribution Royal Van Zanten can make to a more sustainable world.
Sustainability tips for businesses
Royal Van Zanten has taken steps towards sustainability in all areas, and this has given the company a lot of expertise. Sjoukje Heimovaara and Arjan Krijgsman have the following insights to share:
Sustainability
"Sustainability is not a fad that will pass. There still are growers and companies that believe they can continue with business as usual, but consumers want eco-friendly products. You really don’t have a choice if you want to stay competitive."
Your role
"Think about what your role is in the agricultural supply chain and what impact you could have on improving sustainability of the industry as a whole. For us that role is giving plants more sustainable traits."
Energy efficiency
"Make sure you have a good overview of planning and production with a minimum of waste. Producing something you don’t need is the least sustainable thing you can do. Look at the energy consumption per product. It makes little sense to be sustainable and then to produce less."
Use experts
"Don’t feel like you have to figure this out alone. The energy market is very complex and dynamic, and there is a lot of expertise available that can help you on your way."
For more information:
Royal van Zanten
Lavendelweg 15
1435 EW Rijsenhout
T : +31 (0)297 387000
M: +31 (0)6 835 26 251
www.royalvanzanten.com