Ensure good health and promote well-being for all ages
Sub-objective 3.9 Reducing air, water, and soil pollution.
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions by certified organisations on the CO2 Performance Ladder reduces the pollution of air, soil, and water. Certified organisations take actions to reduce their CO2 emissions, such as the electrification of transport, which reduces fine dust. This improves our citizens’ well-being.
Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all
Organisations using the CO2 Performance Ladder are challenged to reduce the use of fossil energy and increase the use of renewable energy. This contributes to sub-objective 7.2 increasing the share of renewable energy in the energy mix. First, by generating renewable energy ourselves. Second, by purchasing it. The KPI 7.2.1 ‘Share of renewable energy in total energy consumption’ will be better understood and increased by using the CO 2 Performance Ladder.
Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation, and foster innovation
The use of the CO2 Performance Ladder in construction, infrastructure, and industry contributes to sub-objective 9.4 Cleaner infrastructure and industries. Although ‘the Ladder’ has also been used for some time in other sectors and in other types of tenders (such as ICT, Facilities, Waste, etc.), it is still strongly represented in Civil Engineering. KPI 9.4.1 ‘CO2 emissions per unit of added value’ is promoted with the CO2 Performance Ladder.
Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
Sub-objective 12.6 Encourage companies to integrate sustainability information into their reporting cycle. Companies and authorities implement a CO2 management system via certification for the CO2 Performance Ladder. Moreover, they are encouraged to communicate with internal and external stakeholders about CO2. KPI 12.6.1 ‘Number of organisations with sustainability reports’ is positively influenced by SKAO. SKAO gives many presentations to contracting authorities that (want to) use the Ladder for procurement. These activities contribute to sub-objective 12.7: Promote sustainable public
procurement practices, and more specifically, this fosters KPI 12.7.1 ‘Degree of implementation of sustainable procurement policies by public sector organisations’.
Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impact
The CO2 Performance Ladder maintained by SKAO contributes in particular to sub-objective13.2 – Measures to combat climate change. For certified organisations and public authorities, certification on the CO2 Performance Ladder provides insight into their CO2 emissions (Indicator 13.2.2 total emissions per year) and accelerates the reduction of CO 2 emissions. The same applies to the use of the CO 2 Performance Ladder in government procurement. SKAO focuses heavily on knowledge sharing about the CO 2 Performance Ladder and climate-related developments, which implements sub-objective 13.3 Education and increasing awareness about climate change. Examples include Communities of Practice, which SKAO organised for ministries and water boards in 2021, the newsletters on our website and social media, and the fact that we give an annual guest lecture to students at Utrecht
University.
Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development
Sub-objective 17.17 Encourage effective public, public-private and social partnerships is typical of SKAO's work method. A clear way forward to a sustainable world is embedded in SKAO's DNA, namely, collaboration. In almost all its activities, SKAO stimulates companies and governments to collaborate and join forces. For example, governments, market parties, and civic organisations are represented on our Board and Central College of Experts, where we regularly ask for input from our stakeholders. In addition, we also participate in Buyer Groups. This gives substance to sub-objective 17.17 Encourage effective public, public-private, and social partnerships, which is typical of SKAO's work method.
