Corporate Social Responsibility

Tree nursery M. van den Oever is at the forefront of sustainability. We have a pioneering and ambassadorial role in sustainably growing greenery. We call this approach the “growing” of “Natural Growth ForceTM” for our clients, our company and our people.

We therefore profile ourselves as “the World Improvers” and give substance to this by always making our efforts in the climatic, economic, social and environmental fields demonstrable on the basis of our four Ps with associated quality and certification systems.

People - people who improve our living environment

Your access to 12,000 species

  • More than 200 years of experience
  • 7 generations M. van den Oever, renewing every day
  • With a leader and ambassador role in sustainable growing
  • True expertise in growing and applying trees, rulers and perennials of up to 12,000 species
  • Crazy driven to improve your and our lives
  • ‘Everyone participates’; we work with three key organizations(Prisma Foundation, ASVZ and WSD) to not only profess our ‘social return’ but also live up to it
  • We work to give and receive energy; on average, our employees work with us for 26 years!

Planet - People who simultaneously protect mother earth

Environmentally friendly cultivation

Tree nursery M. van den Oever is committed to environmentally friendly cultivation of trees and plants. The entire area of the tree nursery is therefore certified under PlantProof. This is the new international name for the former Milieukeur label. Within PlanetProof, there are strict requirements for the use of fertilizers and plant protection products. But as an ambassador of sustainable growing, we go beyond just these requirements.

Trees certified under PlanetProof meet the sustainability criteria established by the central government. For more information, visit planetproof and former Ecolabel.

Biodiversity on the tree farm

In arboriculture, we encourage biodiversity to reduce dependence on fertilizers and pesticides. For example, we put up nesting boxes for birds. The birds eat harmful insects that would otherwise damage the trees. We also sow flower mixtures on empty strips in the nursery. The flowers attract many beneficial insects such as hoverflies, bumblebees, bees and butterflies.

Compost tea for stronger trees

The use of compost tea (Fytaforce) also promotes broad biodiversity in nurseries. Compost tea is a composition of organisms that protect the plant from harmful fungi and bacteria, making the plant more resilient.

Optimal soil conditions

The trees we grow grow under optimal soil conditions. The use of natural fertilizers, customized compost with the necessary nutrients and minimal tillage maintains soil life.

CO2 performance ladder

We are the first major Dutch tree grower to be certified for the CO2 performance ladder.
Each tree planted is an oxygen factory and, for example, annually reduces the entire CO2 load of an average of 250 kilometers of car driving!

Profit - People who create green value with you

Greenlife Environments

  • We are at the forefront of improving socially relevant green environments!
  • Our unique Green Life ProgramTM helps you in Inspiration, Advice, Realization AND Management …
  • After all, the right choices in green assortment, planting and landscaping materials determine the realization of green value and thus Living Value!
  • These 6 new Green LifeTM Environments are:
    • Living green
    • Recreational green space
    • Hospitable greenery
    • Healing green
    • Productive greenery
    • Infra green
  • We reinvest our profits in innovation & knowledge development externally (e.g. Wageningen University, Philips Lighting) and internally (mini-projects)

Pleasure - People who create green value with you

Working together

  • We reinvest our profits in innovation & knowledge development externally (e.g. Wageningen University, Philips Lighting) and internally (mini-projects)
  • We enjoy when you receive compliments on your green space environment
  • We are not satisfied until you are and our world is greener and better
  • Simple logistics call-off and ‘just-in-time’ delivery delivers peace of mind and no stress
  • Collaboration is the new way of working
  • With every project we and you contribute to the M. van den oever Green Life Fund.

Certifications

We are the first major Dutch tree grower to be certified for the CO2 performance ladder.
Each tree planted is an oxygen factory and, for example, annually reduces the entire CO2 load of an average of 250 kilometers of car driving!

CO2 performance ladder

We achieved the CO2 performance ladder certificate . With this certificate we demonstrate even better how our sustainable and CO2-conscious working method is used in tenders and commercial contracts, among other things. Ranging from reducing climate effects through the right choices in green planting, how we can reduce additionalCO2 emissions together, to mapping internal and external communication about this and our participation in chain initiatives.

The ladder is managed and developed by the Foundation for Climate Friendly Procurement and Business (SKAO). Here, then, we are participating parties. Our company information can be found on the SKAO website and here you can find the CO2 performance ladder certificate .

Footprint

Tree nurseries M. van den Oever & Zn. has set itself the social goal of reducingCO2 emissionsand continuously improving sustainability. TheCO2 footprint is an environmental measure for M. van den Oever to provide annual insight into how muchCO2 is emitted and is determined according to the ‘Greenhouse Gas Protocol’ method.

TheCO2 footprint provides insight into where reduction is possible which can lead to savings. Reductions can be made in areas such as transportation, energy, waste, water and paper. This is something we are aware of and communicate within and outside our organization.

CO2 footprint of 2016 can be found here.

CO2 footprint of 2017 can be found here.

CO2 footprint of 2018 can be found here.

CO2 footprint of 2019 can be found here.

Documentation

In order to achieve our goals, it is important that we document the agreements we made with each other in an action plan. The energy management action plan describes the “plan-do-check-act” cycle which should ensure continuous improvement of energy efficiency.

In addition, M. van den Oever is a transparent organization with an open mind which has set itself the goal of increasing support forCO2 reduction by communicating openly with both internal and external parties. It does not shy away from engaging in dialogue with employees, customers, suppliers and other supply chain partners to bring the need forCO2 reduction to the fore. Below is the corresponding documentation.

Executive announcement of start of certificationCO2 performance ladder

Communication planCO2 performance ladder

Progress report and energy plan:

Reduction measures

Late 2016

For 2017, M. van den Oever aims to achieve aCO2 reduction of 4% compared to the 2016 baseline year. To achieve this, M. van den Oever invests in electric equipment, fuel-efficient and electric vehicles, staff training and our own buildings, among other things.

Late 2017

The reduction target set for 2017 was more than achieved by M. van den Oever with a reduction of over 9%. The reduction target for 2017 was 4%. The measures taken to reduce overall CO2 emissions are effective, and we expect this trend to continue in 2018.

Late 2018

Despite the substantial increase in activities, we managed to reduce CO2 emissions this year. We see a total decrease of 15 tons. The set 2018 Scope 1 reduction target of -2% was almost achieved by M. van den Oever despite increased activities: -1,76%. For scope 2, the reduction target was -50%. We achieved -70%. The measures taken to reduce overall CO2 emissions are effective.

Late 2019

In 2019, CO2 emissions decreased compared to the 2016 baseline year and previous years. The set scope 1 and scope 2 targets for 2019 have been met. The management has decided to increase its ambition regarding CO2 reduction compared to the reference year. The KPI CO2 per sales has decreased compared to the 2019 baseline by 15.2 tons per million € of sales. This corresponds to a 39% decrease. The measures taken lead to desired results and we expect the trend to continue in the coming years. The awareness and efforts of our employees also contribute significantly to achieving our goals.

End of 2021

In 2021, we are partnering with our soil and contracting supplier, Mulders to save CO2 in the supply chain of compost. For more information, see this appendix.

Chain initiatives

As part of theCO2 performance ladder, M. van den Oever has taken the initiative, together with composter Van Iersel and the Municipality of Haaren, to look at how we can buffer moreCO2 in the growing soil by increasing the organic matter in the humus. Exceptional results have already been achieved here in Austria with this method. The document below provides more information about our chain initiative.

Chain initiativeCO2 humus| Soil Carbon Credits

M. van den Oever has taken a second initiative under theCO2 performance ladder to increase truck loading rates. This is accomplished by putting together combi loads for a particular region and delivering them on set days. This allows us to save fuel on internal and external logsitics. The document below provides more information about this second chain initiative.

Chain initiative Fixed delivery days Netherlands | CO2 reduction logistics