Last Thursday, the certificate was presented by the classification society Lloyd’s Register in the presence of the Flemish Minister of Environment, Nature and Agriculture, Joke Schauvliege.
The CO2 Performance Ladder is mostly promoted in the Netherlands and applied to public procurement which demonstrates efforts to reduce CO2 emissions. These efforts are rewarded in a (notional) discount on the tender. Complying with the highest standards of the CO2 Performance Ladder is part of DEME’s global emissions management policy whereby DEME ultimately aims to make its activities more sustainable. Via various initiatives and investment programmes, the ‘Enterprise of the Year 2015’ is targeting a 7% improvement in its energy efficiency between 2012 and 2022.
Alain Bernard, Director and CEO of DEME comments: “We integrate the latest techniques and technologies into the execution of our activities. For example, from 2017 DEME, as the first dredging company in the world, will use newly built ships with so-called dual-fuel technology, which run on both diesel and liquefied natural gas (LNG). In combination with a hydrodynamic hull, this ensures further optimisation of fuel consumption and a reduced carbon footprint. On land, the execution of our projects is also being optimised. After the purchase of a range of hybrid excavators, we are now replacing some 70 site cars with hybrid versions.”
The first hybrid site car – a Toyota Yaris Hybrid Comfort – was run-in by Minister Schauvliege. Thanks to the hybrid technology of Toyota, DEME will realise a CO2 reduction of 528 tonnes and a NOx reduction of 435 kg (calculated on the basis of 150,000 km over 60 months). Additionally, through ‘EcoDriving’ training all drivers are informed about safer, more economical and environmentally friendly driving. DEME is also carrying out a master plan for the renewal and renovation of its head office in Zwijndrecht. The objective is an energy-independent and CO2 neutral office complex by renewable energy production and intelligent energy use. A combination of wind and solar energy and cold/heat storage already accounts for 20% of the company’s electricity needs at its HQ.
To provide a solution for global climate change, DEME is investing in and realising renewable energy projects such as offshore wind farms and wave and tidal energy power stations. Furthermore, the possibility of energy storage at sea is being investigated.