Yes! We’ve just taken another significant step towards reducing VRR’s carbon footprint by signing a letter of intent with the Climate Alliance for Sustainable Mobility (Klimaatalliantie Duurzame Mobiliteit). In doing so, we’ve made public our commitment to halving the CO2 emissions of our commuter and business traffic by 2030 compared to 2016.
Why is this act so significant? Because the largest part of all passenger traffic consists of commuting and business traffic and, across the Netherlands, passenger traffic represents about 20% of total CO2 emissions. In other words, this is an issue worth tackling, and the solution is within our reach as a company.
The Climate Alliance—whose aim is to promote sustainable mobility across Rotterdam—is made up of more than 68 local businesses, the partnership Keeping South Holland Accessible (Zuid-Holland Bereikbaar), and the city’s municipality. Together, they represent about 100,000 employees.
Our Managing Director Geert van Riemsdijk is proud to announce VRR’s new partnership: “One of our goals within our sustainability strategy is to become CO2 neutral. The Climate Alliance will help us do this by giving us tailored advice and a practical plan focusing on sustainable mobility.”
Of course, simply signing a letter of intent won’t make any difference to our local environment. Only our actions will do that. Some we’ve already carried out, such as installing solar panels, energy-efficient lights and appliances, and EV charging points. We also drive only EVs or A-rated passenger cars. Next on the list are making all our company cars EVs and offering lease bicycles to employees.
“I’m looking forward to hearing what additional steps the Climate Alliance suggests we take to achieve our target and a cleaner city,” says van Riemsdijk. “Rotterdam is a great place to live and work, but it continues to grow and gets busier. If we can do something to help it reduce its carbon emissions, we will.”