Corporate responsibility at Verdel: Environment-friendly chain
In 2016, 197 countries signed the Paris Climate Agreement. The aim of this agreement is to limit global warming to below 2 degrees Celsius.
The Dutch government has set several targets to comply with the Paris Climate Agreement. For example, the government aims to achieve 49% lower CO2 emissions in 2030 compared with 1990. By 2050, CO2 emissions should be reduced by 95% compared with 1990 levels. The government also aims for at least 27% of the energy generated in 2030 to come from renewable energy sources.
Because sustainability is important to Verdel, we joined the Floriculture Sustainability Initiative (FSI) in 2017. Together, we share the ambition that by 2030, 100% of the flowers and plants we purchase will be certified (responsibly grown). In addition, FSI aims to raise the living wages of workers in high-risk countries to a fairer level and reduce the use of plant protection products (FSI link).
To be considered a responsible grower, FSI has developed a ‘basket’ containing the certifications required for growers to be considered responsible producers. For non-high-risk countries, it is mandatory to have a GAP certificate (Good Agricultural Practice) and an environmental certification. For high-risk countries (according to the amfori list), a social certification is also mandatory.
As from 2023, non-risk countries will also be held to have a certificate from the Social pillar. We are pulling our weight when it comes to working in an environment-friendly way, for instance by trading part of our flowers on the basis of the Fairtrade principles, by transporting our flowers and plants in trucks with low CO2 emissions (Euro 6 standard), by catching rainwater, by managing waste responsibly and by economising on electricity consumption. This is in line with the eight Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) the United Nations has set to promote global sustainable development.
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.
As an FSI member Verdel has the aim of making 90% of its trade and production sustainable by 2025. Verdel wants to safeguard this by purchasing flowers and planters from certified growers in particular. Additionally, Verdel encourages non-certified growers to be certified. Sustainable production is promoted with the encouragement of the trade in certified flowers and plants. This also includes that less (or no) harmful herbicides and pesticides are used and that cleaner energy is used in the production of these flowers and plants for the benefit of land, animals and humans.
Verdel has invested in green energy. For instance, it has installed solar panels for generating energy, and rainwater is collected. This is how Verdel promotes the use of green energy – energy from natural, renewable sources. Besides, Verdel trucks have low CO2 emissions (Euro 6 standard).
