Corporate responsibility at Verdel: Environment-friendly chain
In 2016, 197 countries signed the Paris Climate Agreement. This agreement is aimed at minimising global warming to 2 degrees centigrade. The Dutch government has set itself several targets to meet the Paris Climate Agreement. For instance, the government wants to reduce 1990 CO2 emissions by 49% by 2030. In 2050, CO2 emissions should be 95% less than the 1990 levels. The government also wants at least 27% of energy generated in 2030 to consist of sustainable energy. As Verdel sets great store by sustainability, we joined The Floriculture Sustainability Initiative (FSI) in 2017, which has the ambition of purchasing 90% of flowers and plants sustainably in 2025. Additionally, the FSI has the ambition of reducing CO2 emissions of floriculture, narrowing the gap between rich and poor and making the chain more transparent. For growers to be considered sustainable, the FSI developed a so-called basket, which includes the certificates required to be regarded as sustainable. Non-risk countries are held to have a certificate from the GAP and Environment pillars. For risk countries (according to the Amfori list) a certificate from the Social pillar is also compulsory.
Verdel’s sustainability policy in line with the following SDGs:
Verdel has a Fairtrade certificate. With this certificate Verdel promotes a ‘fair’ price for the growers of flowers and plants. Especially in developing countries like Kenya and Ethiopia, a fair product price means a huge difference to growers and workers. In this way, Verdel is doing its bit to reduce poverty in the world.