How the CO₂ Performance Ladder Contributes to the UN Sustainable Development Goals

The Sustainable Development Goals aim to combat poverty, climate change and inequality worldwide, among other things. Reducing CO₂ emissions plays an important role in this. By working with the CO₂ Performance Ladder, your organisation can contribute to achieving various SDGs. In this blog, we explain what the SDGs are and which SDGs are related to the Ladder.

What are the SDGs?

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are 17 goals that the United Nations (UN) says should make the world ‘a better place by 2030’. Launched in 2015, these sustainable development goals cover the fight against climate change, poverty and inequality and the development of sustainable cities. The SDGs are not binding on countries, but mainly serve as guidelines. Countries can translate the SDGs into national policy goals, for example.

What is the relationship between CO₂ reduction and the SDGs?

The fight against climate change cannot be separated from the fight against poverty and inequality and the development of sustainable cities. For example, one of the consequences of climate change is the increase in natural disasters. In particular, residents of vulnerable areas, such as developing countries in Africa, Asia and South America, are now often hit hard by extreme drought, precipitation or other natural disasters.

By reducing your CO₂ emissions, you contribute to combating climate change. In addition, fewer emissions ensure a cleaner living environment and thus better public health.

How does the CO₂ Performance Ladder contribute to the SDGs?

By applying the CO₂ Performance Ladder (version 3.1 or 4.0), you work in a structured way to reduce your CO₂ emissions. By doing so, you automatically also contribute to various SDGs and national policy goals derived from them. For governments, the use of the CO₂ Performance Ladder in tenders is an excellent opportunity to put CO₂ reduction, sustainability and innovation at the heart of their projects. Promoting sustainable procurement is even a specific goal within one of the SDGs (12.7, see below).

Which SDGs does the CO₂ performance ladder play a role in?

The SDGs most linked to the CO₂ Performance Ladder are goals 3, 7, 9, 12, 13 and 17.

SDG 3. Good health and well-being

SDG 3 is about ensuring good health and promoting well-being for all ages. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions with the CO₂ Performance Ladder results in less pollution of air, soil and water. As a Ladder certified organisation, measures such as electrification of transport and haulage, for example, allow you to reduce particulate matter in addition to CO₂. This results in a healthier living environment, a cleaner environment and better well-being for citizens.

SDG 7. Affordable and clean energy

SDG 7 focuses on access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all. The CO₂ Performance Ladder challenges your organisation to reduce the use of fossil energy and increase the use of renewable energy. This can be done both by generating your own renewable energy and by purchasing green local energy. By doing so, you contribute to increasing the share of renewable energy in total energy consumption, making sustainably generated energy relatively cheaper.

SDG 9. Industry, innovation and infrastructure

With SDG 9, the UN calls on governments and organisations to modernise and make infrastructure more sustainable. Measures around energy efficiency and the use of cleaner and environmentally friendly technologies and industrial processes that the Ladder encourages, contribute to this. Using the Ladder in tenders is a great way to encourage industry to innovate and look for green and sustainable alternatives when carrying out work.

SDG 12. Responsible production and consumption

Certification on the CO₂ Performance Ladder provides insight into the CO₂ emissions generated by your production and consumption activities. By dealing with your scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions, you ensure more responsible production and consumption. The same goes for applying the CO₂ Performance Ladder in government procurement and tendering. With sustainable procurement and climate-neutral purchasing, you can contribute to SDG 12, and 12.7 in particular.

SDG 13. Climate action

SDG 13 calls on citizens, businesses and governments to combat climate change and stop global warming. This means reducing greenhouse gases, of which CO₂ is one of the most important. By reducing CO₂ with the CO₂ Performance Ladder, you can contribute to SDG 13.

SDG 17. Partnership for the  goals

Coherent policies, a cooperative environment and partnering are crucial to implement the sustainable development agenda. SDG 17 focuses on this. The CO₂ Performance Ladder encourages public, public-private and civil society partnerships. Through requirements in the management system, we encourage you to join forces with other companies and governments to establish a cleaner and more sustainable world. Also through tendering with the Ladder, clients and contractors are encouraged to cooperate and have dialogues.

This is how the CO₂ Performance Ladder contributes to the SDGs

Several SDGs are closely linked to the CO₂ Performance Ladder. By getting certified on the CO₂ Performance Ladder or using the Ladder in procurement, you contribute directly and indirectly to these SDGs.

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