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Net Zero Transition
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We Must Halve Emissions by 2030
At Arcadis, we share a vision for the future: we want to better the communities in which we live, improving quality of life for everyone. And we know the companies we work with do too.
The greatest global challenge of the modern world is climate change. From the IPCC’s ‘code red’ for humanity, to rising social expectations and increasing regulatory activity and environmental, social, governance (ESG) standards; organizations need to transform the way they do business and report on progress to continue thriving in the world of tomorrow.
With so much changing and fast – emerging regulations and frameworks, new technologies, increasing stakeholder maturity, and customer demand – the right path to Net Zero for your organization may not always be clear. It is a difficult problem to solve and represents an opportunity for change, leadership, collaboration and innovation.
We can help you make the right start, wherever you are in your journey. We have insights, solutions, and frameworks that work.
Navigating Challenges in an Ever-Changing Landscape
The pressure to
action climate
is mounting
Climate and ESG disclosure are
rapidly evolving
Climate targets
are complex and
time sensitive
Our clients
need to go
beyond carbon
Stakeholders are
educated, and vocal
Pressure
is mounting
Investors have
taken note
Competition
is intensifying
Talent
cares
Evolution of
ESG disclosure
Frameworks
are proliferating
New focus on data
quality and transparency
Time
is critical
Credible goals are
essential, but not enough
Answers are new,
or don’t yet exist
Integrating climate into business is a challenge
Innovative funding sources are needed
Going
beyond carbon
Nature and biodiversity are growing in importance
Newly emerging
ESG topics
Market interest fueled by stakeholder interest, and regulatory and competitive pressures, despite a slowing economy in some regions
In many cases, stakeholders are now leading the discussion, providing feedback, making requests, and offering expertise
Sustainability performance is an influential factor in access to capital; organizations need to commit, act and disclose to enable investor decision-making
Competitive pressure is driving organizations to set ambitious goals and act more quickly than in the past
The war for talent continues, and employees are increasingly making career decisions based on the sustainability ambition of their employers
Sustainability reporting requirements by stakeholders is growing increasingly complex; new regulations will change the direction of sustainability disclosure in multiple regions
Regulatory requirements are becoming more stringent yet are inconsistent across geographies; overlapping disclosure requests are adding to reporting fatigue
Increased scrutiny on ESG and sustainability data as reporting organizations want to show progress while stakeholders are demanding more transparency
Given warnings from IPCC and others, the time to act is now; severe weather is intensifying, and natural disasters are more frequent, redefining time horizons
Ambition without action is not resonating with stakeholders; we must be transparent on the challenges and opportunities being faced
Many solutions to climate and water challenges are just emerging, or are not yet mature enough to implement at scale; innovation is critical
Climate governance, resource allocation, policies and procedures are critical to make it business as usual and integral consideration in daily operations
Truly actioning sustainability is an expensive endeavor, requiring a structured framework to prioritize spending and determine accessibility to funding
An expanding, holistic focus beyond carbon emissions is needed toward water stewardship, product sustainability, and nature and biodiversity
Recognition that nature and ecosystems are inherently part of the climate transition, with the role of corporates being key to accelerate this
Supply chain transparency, climate risk assessment, social performance management.
Click icons to see description
We Need Climate Action Now
“Halving by 2030: The UN report on 1.5°C concludes that we need to keep global warming to a maximum of 1.5°C to avoid high risk of catastrophic consequences for people and our living environment. To do so, the world needs to follow up peak emissions in 2020 with halving of emissions every decade until 2050, starting with the first halving by 2030. This simple rule of thumb, called the Carbon Law, can be applied to everyone: companies, cities, nations and citizens.”
Source link
Net Zero is the point at which global GHG emissions are balanced by emissions reductions and carbon removal projects
The Carbon Law equates to a ~90% reduction in emissions from 2020 to 2050.
To get to Net Zero, we will use carbon removals for the remaining ~10%
Net Zero
Transition
Strategy
Commit & Plan
Execution
Design & Deliver
The Net Zero Transition
Click a step to see description
Design for
Net Zero
Plan
Projects
Implement
Projects
Operate
Sustainably
Measure
Impact
Establish
Ambition
Develop
Strategy
Measure Impact
Establish a baseline of enterprise GHG emissions data at the site level.
Collect and validate data relating to all sources of emissions, including assets, utilities, and processes.
Calculate scope 1, 2, and 3 GHG emissions across the value chain.
Identify emissions hot spots and trends and compare to industry benchmarks to highlight potential gaps.
Educate internal stakeholders on enterprise wide GHG emissions and climate impacts.
Communicate GHG emissions footprint publicly.
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After strategy & implementation:
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Regularly assess target achievement progress, barriers, and
key metrics.
Procure necessary instruments, such as carbon offsets, carbon removals, renewable energy certificates.
Regularly reassess strategy and roadmap performance through a program management governance structure.
Track outcomes in non-financial reporting and verify achievement and benefits.
Amplify impact through sharing your climate journey, from targets to challenges to performance.
Establish Ambition
Make a public commitment to net zero targets or ambitious GHG reduction targets aligned with the latest climate science.
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Define scope, boundaries, and assumptions related to net zero carbon targets.
Evaluate potential alignment with net zero target frameworks.
Develop future emissions trajectories to inform achievement roadmap.
Establish internal and external metrics to track and measure progress against targets and communicate with stakeholders.
Identify broad GHG reduction measures based on GHG hot spots.
Develop a business case for your net zero target.
Finalize your target internally with buy-in through stakeholder engagement.
Make a public commitment to achieve net zero carbon.
Develop Strategy
Develop a target achievement strategy, providing insights into programmatic priorities for near-term and long-term achievement.
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Establish interim milestones and promote them within the organization.
Identify major activities needed and barriers at the organization level.
Evaluate activities to determine potential carbon reduction, costs and benefits, and feasibility.
Develop a carbon offset and removal strategy to address residual emissions.
Align and embed within the existing organizational strategy.
Develop communications strategy to inform internal and external stakeholders.
Plan Projects
Identify specific, asset-level projects and assess financial implications, feasibility, and decarbonization potential.
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Identify and evaluate carbon mitigation measures and set key performance indicators.
Benchmark and calculate potential asset-level net zero targets.
Assess facility performance and attributes through integrative on-site net zero carbon audits.
Run iterative scenario models for various bundles of decarbonization measures, evaluating financing, right-timing, and tipping point.
Integrate the outcomes into the multi-year maintenance plan of each asset.
Plan coordinated multi-path implementation through recommissioning, deep energy retrofits, and onsite renewables.
Design for Net Zero
Design and establish standards for future assets, products, and processes with net zero carbon in mind.
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Calculate the net zero carbon potential by asset to establish performance targets and net zero carbon feasibility.
Prototype next generation regenerative assets and processes through modelling.
Establish future sustainability priorities and performance metrics beyond net zero aligned to organizational objectives and local and national policy.
Review communications strategy for stakeholder engagement and business change.
Adopt sustainable building and process design standards and workflows in each stage for project managers and integrative design teams.
Implement Projects
Execute prioritized projects through sound program management and conduct impact assessments via measurement and verification.
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Prepare for change through application of change management methods.
Engage partners and stakeholders to co-create and implement solutions.
Align layered incentives and financing with a sound implementation plan.
Procure services and materials through equitable means.
Implement projects aligned to plan, considering timing and interaction of projects.
Train stakeholders to maintain and monitor project implementation.
Operate Sustainably
Integrate sustainability into core operations through governance, processes, and data automation to drive behavioral and cultural change.
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Design and implement governance structures for performance optimization.
Track performance through climate KPIs aligned to recognized global frameworks.
Upskill employees on sustainability data analytics to enable carbon-aware decision making.
Identify ongoing process efficiency opportunities and continuous improvement methods.
Implement business change to leverage new opportunities and improved methods.
We have committed to achieve Net Zero across our operations by 2035
Our near-term GHG targets have been approved by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi)
We have offset 100% of residual scope 1 and 2 emissions and select scope 3 emissions since 2020
We sourced 100% renewable electricity globally beginning in 2022
We will reduce emissions 50% from air travel by 2025 (from 2019) and will transition to an all-EV fleet by 2030
Arcadis was ranked
#1
by Sustainalytics in
the Construction & Engineering sector
About Arcadis
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Arcadis was awarded a
Platinum
rating from EcoVadis in
2023, ranking in the top 1%
of 2,800 companies
Arcadis was named the
#1
provider of digital EHS services in 2022 in the Verdantix Green
Quadrant rankings
Our intent is to embed sustainability in everything we do, across every part of our business
Achieving Net Zero is our collective responsibility. We have a strong heritage working with clients to set strategies and reach their climate targets. We leverage this to help you realize your Net Zero ambitions through a structured, data-driven process that enables decision-making in a rapidly changing world.
Project Examples
Select and click a criteria below then
click the plus ( ) symbol to view
case studies for each countries.
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Criteria:
Measure Impact
Establish Ambition
Develop Strategy
Plan Projects
Design for Net Zero
Implement Project
Operate Sustainably
Measure Impact
Establish Ambition
Develop Strategy
Plan Projects
Design for Net Zero
Implement Project
Operate Sustainably
United States
See Case Study
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Philippines
See Case Study
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Poland
See Case Study
+
Australia
See Case Study
+
Belgium
See Case Study
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United Kingdom
See Case Study
+
Netherlands
See Case Study
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Measure Impact
7 million+
freight loads across North American
100,000
intermodal container units, the largest company-owned intermodal fleet in North America
3.6 million
metric tons of CO2e emissions avoided by converting over-the-road loads to intermodal
The Challenge
J.B. Hunt understands that their stakeholders – stockholders, regulators, customers, employees, and local communities – want them to decrease GHG emissions from their operations and value chain. However, research indicated that freight haul is one of the most difficult industries to decarbonize.
J.B. Hunt has relied on Arcadis to accelerate their sustainability journey with climate-related risks and opportunities evaluation, development of GHG emission goals, and assessment of current and future GHG emissions reductions initiatives.
The Impact
Arcadis has helped J.B. Hunt make credible progress on reducing the use of fossil fuels and continuing to make deliberate business decisions to reduce adverse impacts on the environment. Arcadis continues to collaborate with J.B. Hunt to drive climate action and calculate associated impacts.
The Solution
To accelerate J.B. Hunt’s sustainability journey Arcadis has collaborated with them over the last four years to provide the following services:
Calculating their annual GHG emissions inventory for third-party assurance
Preparing and submitting their annual CDP climate change questionnaire, along with other climate disclosures in alignment with GRI, SASB, DJSI, TCFD, and others
Calculating the impact of various sustainability initiatives, including the GHG reduction associated with increased intermodal transit
Assisting with adopting short- and long-term GHG emission reductions targets, and recommended additional initiatives to increase renewable energy investment and reduce carbon intensity
Establishing a publicly announced science-based target aligned with the Paris Agreement
Developing a Climate Action Plan
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In addition, Arcadis supports J.B. Hunt in the following ways:
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Delivering an end-to-end strategic sustainability program
Client: J.B. Hunt Transportation Services, Inc.
Establish Ambition
Designing sustainability ambitions to drive innovation
Client: Confidential Real Estate Developer
7 million+
freight loads across North American
100,000
intermodal container units, the largest company-owned intermodal fleet in North America
3.6 million
metric tons of CO2e emissions avoided by converting over-the-road loads to intermodal
The Challenge
A estate developer's parent company set an overarching sustainability ambition that it needs to align to. While the client had started to submit ESG data to its parent company to be included in the latter’s integrated report, it has yet to develop a sustainability strategy that aligns with the sustainability goals of its parent company.
The Solution
The highlight of the project was a three half-days virtual design thinking workshop that engaged with the client on their strategic challenges, developed their sustainability goals, and built high-level strategies to achieve these goals. Prior to the workshop, Arcadis discussed with the client its current sustainability initiatives, identified key stakeholders to engage and reviewed baseline data for material issues. A benchmarking study of its selected peer companies was undertaken, which identified megatrends and emerging issues for the real estate industry and provided recommendations. A series of pre-workshop interviews were also conducted to refine a challenge question that would be the focus of the workshop.
The Impact
The benchmarking study helped the client to understand where it stood in relation to its competitors and to learn from best practice across the prioritized sustainability topics of energy and carbon, water, waste and biodiversity and land use. The design thinking workshop produced goals for each of these prioritized topics and corresponding high-level targets. Using the output of this project, the client will be able to embark on the next steps in their sustainability journey. This includes finalizing their action plan, executing the plan, and reporting their progress on an annual basis.
Develop Strategy
Producing a comprehensive net zero strategy
Client: H.B. Reavis
2050
net zero target with actionable plans
35%
reduction in corporate emissions from 2019 to 2030
60%
reduction in new development whole building energy use intensity by 2030
The Challenge
Buildings are contributors to carbon emissions, owing to energy use, building materials and construction processes. With Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) high on the agenda, and rising energy prices influencing property owners to favor investment in green solutions, real estate developer HB Reavis is looking to bring their 2050 net zero commitment to life.
As a first step, HB Reavis’ aim is to develop a net zero program that demonstrates to clients, business partners, and investors how the company builds and operates assets in a way that supports ESG and net zero priorities. To achieve this, HB Reavis needed a clear understanding of its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared to peers, both in construction and through operations. This would then be used to analyze and guide achievable plans for its 2050 net zero targets, and also publicly disclose progress on ESG performance.
The Solution
Arcadis worked with HB Reavis, supporting by setting up their net zero and decarbonization strategy and goals, as well as program design including achievement plans, and reporting and engagement interventions. Our team calculated HB Reavis' scope 1, 2, and 3 GHG emissions and used that to develop a decarbonization and offsetting strategy to support the company's planned net zero commitment. The team also provided a materiality assessment to support reporting aligned with the Global Reporting Initiative and GRESB Real Estate frameworks.
Throughout the project, we brought our expertise from across Poland, the UK, the Netherlands, and the US, working closely with the client to understand their unique, integrated business model and identify opportunities to reduce emissions across all scopes, including embodied carbon. This included assessing the carbon reduction potential and feasibility of their projects and assets including air source heat pumps, on-site solar, fleet electrification, structural design optioneering, and low-carbon building materials, among others.
The Impact
Our team helped HB Reavis set near- and long-term targets, also providing an actionable roadmap to support those targets across the real estate portfolios of each country the company operates in. Our work culminated in a robust net zero program, helping HB Reavis continue to lead as a credible real estate developer with its stakeholder interests at heart.
Plan Projects
Using renewable energy to preserve a World Heritage Site
Client: Daintree Renewable Microgrid Project
8MW
of power to be supplied by the Daintree Microgrid
4 million liters
of diesel will no longer be burned in Daintree to produce power
The Challenge
Burning diesel to generate electricity in the Daintree rainforest is harming the health of locals and damaging the local environment. Additionally, cost of generation using small domestic diesel generators is very high.
The Daintree region of Far North Queensland is world-renowned for its World Heritage protected rainforest and unique ecological systems. But it is also cut-off from Queensland’s electricity grid, resulting in an over-reliance on diesel as a source of power. With over 4 million liters of diesel burnt each year, emissions released into the environment contribute to a decline in health for people in the Daintree region and damage the region’s once-pristine environment where they live.
The community and businesses are affected by ineffective solar panels and ongoing blackouts, and regional tourism is also hindered by damage to branding from the diesel generation, a lack of effective broadband communications and the low availability of air-conditioned accommodation.
The Solution
Arcadis is designing the Daintree Microgrid, which allows for renewable energy to supply over 90% of power to residents, tourism operators and local businesses, and up to 100% where severe weather events are not included.
Arcadis partnered with Volt Advisory to develop electrical and civil designs for the implementation of the 100% renewable energy Daintree Microgrid, to provide consumers and regional tourism operators with the benefits of a renewable, low emission and reliable electricity supply.
The Arcadis Energy and Resources team in Brisbane brought complex engineering and design expertise to the project to navigate the complexities and challenges associated with the integration of multiple solar generation and hydrogen storage technologies. The members of the team will use their expertise to deliver high-level designs for an underground cable network, eliminating the need for overhead power lines which affect the pristine ecology of the region.
Providing stable power from up to 100% renewable energy sources is a challenge due to the intermittency of solar supply and the slow response of hydrogen cells during power disturbances.
The Arcadis team has proposed the combination of Solar, Battery Energy Storage System and Hydrogen supply. We have allowed for maximization of use of solar energy without interruption by scheduling generation to limit disturbances, and by working with cable installation professionals, to connect all distribution assets with minimum impact on the environment.
The project will also include a fiber optic network to supply the region with fast and reliable broadband internet capacity through integration with the microgrid’s underground cable network.
The Impact
The Daintree Microgrid will protect the natural environment from risks associated with the consumption of 4 million liters of diesel a year and provide cheaper, reliable power, which will be essential for residents and local businesses.
The Daintree Microgrid is a transformative, high-profile project for the Australian renewable energy sector and regional Australian communities, and a strong move towards a sustainable future.
Critically, the microgrid will protect the natural environment from the current risks associated with the consumption of 4 million liters of diesel a year for electricity generation.
The microgrid will provide up to 8MW of power to over 300 residential customers and multiple tourist accommodation facilities, coming to 9.6GWh a year.
The implementation of the project will support the residential, business and tourism industries to operate using energy from a reliable renewable energy grid and provide them with fast reliable broadband.
It will be a shining example of a highly successful approach to the sustainable generation and storage of energy.
Design for Net Zero
Building a sustainable and energy efficient distribution center
Client: Nike
100%
renewable electricity
40.000 m²
of space
1,3 kilometer
green facade
The Challenge
Nike wants to expand its distribution capacity in Europe and make it more sustainable by building a new distribution center in Belgium.
Nike wants to better serve consumers and retailers in Europe and the rest of the world. That is why the sportswear manufacturer decided to expand its distribution capacity in line with the latest energy and environmental requirements.
The Solution
The location for this was very deliberately chosen, close to the Albert Canal in Ham, so that Nike can operate as sustainably and energy-efficiently as possible.
These considerations led to the construction of the Wings distribution center in Ham, Belgium. The building is part of the Nike European Logistics Campus (ELC) in Belgium. The choice for this location was a very deliberate one, because the site is easily accessible via canals, train connections and highways. In addition, more than 95% of all containers are supplied via the Albert Canal, which saves the road network 14,000 truck journeys per year.
The Impact
The new Wings distribution center offers 3000 employees a pleasant workplace and in 2017 won the MIPIM award for Best Industrial and Logistic Development.
The Nike European Logistics Campus offers the more than 3000 employees a pleasant workplace. The many windows, a unique system that transports daylight and the automated LED lighting ensure a reduction in electricity consumption and environmental impact. The design of the environment also contributes to an improved living environment and, after the completion of the construction work, resulted in an increase in biodiversity in the area. It is no coincidence that the design team was awarded the international MIPIM real estate fair prize 'Best Industrial and Logistics Development' in Cannes in 2017 for its contribution to the distribution center in Ham, which opened its doors in 2016.
Implement Projects
Creating the largest retail Electric Vehicle charging network in UK
Client: Tesco’s Electric Car Charging Network
14%
increase in EV charging bays across the UK
400 stores
with EV charging bays
The Challenge
Electric vehicles play a key role in helping to reduce CO2 emissions and improve air quality, but many people worry about how and where to charge them.
How many of us have considered switching to an electric vehicle, but been put off by concerns about how and where to charge it? Now, imagine if it could be as straightforward as doing your grocery shop? With petrol and diesel cars gradually being phased out, we need to make it easier for people to make more sustainable, environmentally-conscious choices. And that’s exactly what we’ve been doing with Tesco. As one of the UK’s largest retailers, helping it design and install charge points across nearly 400 stores nationwide will make a huge difference. Millions more people will be able to conveniently access charging points, as quickly and easily as buying a pint of milk.
The Solution
It needs to be easier for people to access charging infrastructure and helping Tesco to install charging points across nearly 400 stores nationwide will make a huge difference.
To help Tesco plan, deliver and install the nation’s largest retail electric vehicle (EV) charging network we had to take a view across a huge portfolio of stores. The sheer scale of the project - encompassing multiple charge points all over the country – called for a carefully coordinated approach, and this is where Arcadis came in. Our role was to provide project, programme management and process consultancy services to make sure that the EV charging points were installed as efficiently as possible.
The Impact
Having access to more charging bays will make it easier for people to switch to Electric Vehicles, because they know they can easily recharge wherever they are in the UK, even while they shop.
Reinforcing a commitment to sustainability
With climate change increasingly at the forefront of the agenda, we all want to try and do our bit towards helping the environment. This project is a core part of Tesco’s commitment to supporting its customers with more sustainable solutions. When complete, it will mark a 14% increase in the number of public charging bays in the UK, making it easier for people to recharge whenever and wherever they are.
Operate Sustainably
Leading organizational design for Water Board Rijn en Ijssel
Client: Rijn en IJssel water board
100%
energy neutral
2025
target year
The Challenge
The water boards in the Netherlands have the ambition to be energy neutral by 2025. The Rijn en IJssel water board wants to achieve this by generating its own sustainable energy and at the same time using energy more efficiently. The water board did understand that an organizationally anchored and widely supported movement is needed to grow into a 100% energy-neutral organization. However, this required a number of strategic steps.
The Solution
The water boards in the Netherlands have the ambition to be energy neutral by 2025. The Rijn Arcadis set up this organization together with the transition manager and the energy coordinator of the water board. An inspiring working session with all managers of the water board showed that they think it is important to work together on energy neutrality. The first ideas about cooperation and possible measures came quickly and formed a good basis for the next steps. After this, it was important to embed the energy transition in the organization. A brainstorming session with a number of key figures led to the setting up of three focused teams: Sustainable Energy, Environment and Energy Efficiency. The chairmen of each team, together with the transition manager, form the advisory team that must determine the integrated approach. The process of staffing the teams was relatively straightforward.
Finally, we created a management system that supports the entire transition process. This functions according to a system that enables continuous improvement. To achieve a working management system, we set up a monitoring system, defined tasks, responsibilities and authorities, recorded how and when consultations take place and anchored the involvement of top management. To ensure that the organization actually starts working with the management system, people throughout the organization have been asked to actively contribute ideas. This also increases support for the changes.
The Impact
The Rijn en IJssel water board is now well on its way to becoming an energy-neutral organisation. The enthusiasm within the water board forms a good basis for this and the clear structure offers sufficient guidance to work independently on the ambitious objectives. The energy transition is already deeply embedded in the organization and that should also lead to the Rijn en IJssel water board working completely energy-neutral by 2025 and being able to generate sustainable energy itself.
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Examples
Examples
About Arcadis
Examples
About Arcadis
*adapted from exponential roadmap
As your Net Zero carbon partner, we can support throughout all stages of your journey with technical climate mitigation experience, engineering expertise, digital transformation advisory, and change management skills.
There’s no one size fits all approach to carbon reduction. That’s why Arcadis brings diverse expertise and skills across different sectors and geographies to help you prioritize, access and realize the right strategies, investments and roadmaps that fit your organizational goals.
Link to visit Arcadis website
Arcadis. Improving quality of life
Global Technical Director
Net Zero Strategy – Resilience
Kealy Herman
kealy.herman@arcadis.com
M +1 720 597 1551
Connect with Kealy Herman or Marjolijn Versteegden for more information and questions.
Contact Us
Global Solution Director
Net Zero Facilities and Sustainable Communities – Places
Marjolijn Versteegden
marjolijn.versteegden@arcadis.com
+31 (0) 627 060 245
The Net Zero Transition
We understand that every sustainability journey is different. A successful sustainability strategy should be the right fit for your business – focusing on your unique risks and opportunities.
No matter where you are on your journey, our strategic and technical experts work together to help you identify, prioritize, implement and evaluate critical steps at every stage of your Net Zero transition, from strategy through execution and performance monitoring.
Arcadis has committed to improving quality of life by accelerating the transition to net zero. Our commitments and actions through our own operations, partnerships and work with clients show our dedication to sustainability, and we are proud of the recognition we’ve received.