CO2 performance ladder

Within the management team, the Quality, Health & Safety and Environment (KAM) manager is responsible for the Energy Management System (EMS). The KAM manager ensures the establishment of an energy management team whose task is to create an EMS that influences the continuous improvement (read: reduction) of unit energy consumption through the Demming circle.

Energy policy

To improve energy use, the following will be considered:

• The EMS will be set up and maintained;
• Time and money will be made available to carry out the tasks for the EMS;
• The scope will be periodically reviewed and checked for validity;
• The importance of the EMS will be made known to all employees through notice in Insite;
• Roles, responsibilities and authority will be defined;
• KPIs will be appropriate for the company's departments;
• Long-term energy performance will be assessed;
• Energy consumption and reduction will be measured periodically;
• All issues will be included in a board review or management review.

Energy and carbon reduction results 2024

We have had an active policy to reduce energy consumption in our cheese-making facilities and own shops for more than 10 years. In 2024, our measures led to the following results, among others:

• We generated over 350,000 kWh of solar energy in Katwoude;
• We generated over 380,000 kWh of solar energy in Heerenveen;
• We used LED lighting in 36 of our 38 own shops;
• All but two shops used less than 50,000 kWh of electricity on an annual basis;
• In all Dutch shops we used European green electricity;
• In our fleet, 8 out of 11 passenger cars were electric.

Energy and CO₂ reduction activities 2025

• We complete a feasibility study on wind turbines in Heerenveen;
• We will take thermal imaging cameras into use at the Katwoude and Heerenveen production sites;
• Two circulation pumps will be installed in the ice water plant in Heerenveen;
• Light sensors will be installed in the remaining rooms at the head office in Katwoude.

Energy and CO₂ reduction targets in the short term

• Retail: all shops use less than 50,000 kW of electricity in 2030;
• Cheese factories: 10% less CO₂ emissions per kilogram of cheese in 2030 compared to 2020.

Long-term energy and CO₂ reduction targets

The production facilities in Katwoude and Heerenveen will be CO₂ neutral by 2050.

Participation in initiatives

In an NZO context, we participate in the Environmental Working Group (WEMI) and learn about various environmental issues, including CO₂ reduction.