Royal Van Zanten has released its first-ever Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) report. The report is the next step in their sustainability journey. It makes objectives clear and actions tangible and transparent, in line with Royal Van Zanten’s sustainability strategy.
Maarten Goos, CEO of Van Zanten Breeding says: “Sustainability is about caring for tomorrow. However, it is our actions today that make the difference. Our ESG reporting helps us to be accountable for those actions.”
Employee engagement
Royal Van Zanten’s ambitions were defined by a group of employees around the globe and are overseen by a steering group that represents all employees. They want to reduce environmental impact and create a corporate culture that ensures equal opportunities for everyone and nurtures mutual appreciation.
Sustainable development goals
The company contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals as defined by the United Nations and has defined goals that it can contribute to most.
Breeding for sustainability
Breeding is the company’s core business and aims to develop varieties that support biodiversity and a healthy ecosystem. The second focus for breeding is to develop stress and disease tolerant varieties to that can be grown with low energy inputs.
Other sustainability objectives include a transition to 100% green energy, biological crop protection, a circular water system and climate neutral operations. The company also wants to improve measurement systems for employee development, working conditions and reduce the living wage gap.