SUSTAINABILITY SPECIAL
Special feature:
SUSTAINABILITY These days, sustainability plays a major part in our everyday lives. We’re all becoming increasingly aware of it and see the urgency to preserve a good balance between people, the environment and the economy. That’s important now and will be even more so for generations to come. Fortunately, more and more companies are making a serious commitment to corporate social responsibility and sustainability. This issue’s special feature on Sustainability spotlights companies that are making a conscious choice to be sustainable and are excited to tell our readers about what they’re doing. Your activities at GBC centre around Zuidas. What’s the focus here and what’s your role? ‘’I’m the programme director for GBC Zuidas. We’ve got an enthusiastic team and 55 member organizations with which I work to realize this incredible club’s ambitions. One project we’re working on now is Zero Waste Zuidas. Our goals are 0% residual waste by 2030, eliminating Zuidas’ dependence on natural gas, improving urban logistics by provisioning offices from a hub using electric delivery vehicles, and installing 25,000 m2 of water-retaining green rooftops. We’re already more than halfway to achieving that last goal.’’
ELINE KIK
Is Zuidas sustainable enough, in your view? We’re kicking off with an interview with
concrete projects to make those areas
‘’Zuidas is by no means sufficiently
Eline Kik, director of Green Business
more sustainable. It’s all about taking
sustainable. We’re up against some
Club Zuidas. GBC Zuidas is a foundation
action. Right now, there are 13 local GBCs
tremendous challenges. As the country’s
that works to achieve concrete results
nationwide as well as a broad central
premier office location, Zuidas wants to
by spearheading sustainable projects.
platform – GBC Netherlands – that supports
be a frontrunner in sustainability. We’re
the local GBCs. The idea was conceived
succeeding more and more when it comes
What’s the overall aim of
in 2011 by ABN AMRO’s sustainable
to ultra-innovative and sustainable office
Green Business Club Netherlands?
banking unit in cooperation with the City
and residential building, but there’s still
‘’Green Business Clubs (GBC) are local
of Amsterdam and ORAM network. They
so much to do. Particularly in terms of our
networks made up of industry, government
were quickly joined by founding partners
use of existing office properties and our
and knowledge sector players in a given
Loyens & Loeff, Vesteda, VU Amsterdam, RAI
behaviours, Zuidas needs to take a more
geographic area. We work together on
Amsterdam and Accenture.’’
critical look at itself. There are still a lot
30 •
