The full Finance team: Finance Team Climate Pact
Every little bit helps
The Finance Team promotes sustainability in various ways. Tijs Mebis: “In Spouwen, we decided after a brainstorming session that we especially want to encourage each other to live more sustainably. We set up the WhatsApp group ‘Finance Team Climate Pact’, together with colleagues in Spijk, and in it we share our sustainable actions. That could be anything; carpooling, cycling to the bakery, picking up litter. The idea is that every little bit helps and many small actions add up to big ones.”
Power saved
Stans Dietz: “Several other initiatives have emerged in Spijk in addition. Like the loaner bicycle or the coffee cup action. In addition, we took action in Spijk to combat wasted electricity. The lighting we had was quite energy-consuming and has been replaced by LED lighting. Where previously 24 lights were on continuously, even if sometimes only a few people were in the office, now only lights above occupied workstations are on. Motion detectors have been installed in the corridors to save energy. A third of the lights in public areas (hall, corridors, entrance, basement) have been switched off. Half of the lights in the car park have also been switched off, as there were unnecessary lights on. Turning off the lights does not compromise visibility and safety. Solar panels have been installed on the roof of the office. The plan was to install an additional 40 solar panels after expansion of the Spijk office, but since the renovation has been postponed, this will not happen for the time being. All in all, we have achieved quite a lot.”
We want to encourage each other to live more sustainable lives and set up the WhatsApp group ‘Finance Team Climate Pact’ together with colleagues in Spijk. In it, we share our sustainable actions.
Creating new dynamics
“The great thing about the Together to Zero Challenge is that it connected people,” Tijs believes. “We talk to each other about sustainability, share ideas and experiences both between colleagues at our own sites and between the departments in Spijk and Spouwen. That is very pleasant.” Stans and Tijs believe that occasional boosting is important, though. “We all want this very much, but after a while it does sink in a bit. We have to keep each other on our toes and create a new dynamic.”
Read the other stories
Sustainable mugs
Litter on and around the Spijk site had been a thorn in Sietse Thuis's side for some time. “There was all kinds of stuff lying around, especially a lot of plastic coffee cups. After a brainstorming session, we came up with the idea of making coffee drinking more sustainable.”
Planting trees
Sustainability is a theme that resonates with colleagues Baptiste, Christian, Isabelle, Magali, Soukirah and Laurent in Halluin (FR). They came up with the idea of planting trees in the garden behind the office: a team-building activity with a green result.
Playful video tips
How can we contribute to a better climate in an approachable, simple way? With that question, Annick, Ine, Joëlle and Fanny from the marketing team at Spouwen set to work.