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SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2017
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SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2018Creating a sustainable future
TABLE OF CONTENTS
2018 at a glance
Executive summary
Performance overview 2018
Contribution to SDGs
The global Arcadis strategy
Passion and values
Strategic framework
Arcadis Belgium’s policy and objectives
Our sustainability policy
Our objectives & KPIs
Our performance results
Performance Overview 2018
Our organization
Credibility
Carbon neutrality 2020
Engage our people
Our society
Create today
Create tomorrow
Create the future
Our client solutions
Sustainable environmental projects
Sustainable water projects
Sustainable infrastructure design
Sustainable buildings design2
2018 AT A GLANCE
Arcadis is aiming to contribute to several of the UN Sustainable Development Goals or SDG’s. For many
consulting and engineering activities of our company, the SDG’s form the guiding principle. They can be
approached through the quality of our work for public and private clients, in the fields of clean water and
sanitation (SDG6), transport and infrastructure solutions (SDG 9), sustainable cities (SDG 11), climate action
(SDG 13) and sustainable energy solutions, natural resilience and no-net-loss solutions on biodiversity (SDG
15), etc.
Of course, these projects often largely depend on the ambition of our clients, be it a government working for the
common good, or a company willing to contribute to a better world. Arcadis’ own commitment to the SDG’s is
implemented by several actions on health and well-being of our employees, on which we apply the ‘people first’
principle (SDG 3). We make partnerships with the NGO Protos (now ‘Join for water’) on water issues worldwide
(SDG 6 and 17). We publish a yearly Sustainable Cities Index and support UN-Habitat by offering our expertise
in the Shelter programme (SDG 11 and 17). Every year we grow our own Arcadis forest together with Natuurpunt
(SDG 15 and 17) and we run an ambitious CO2 reduction programme (SDG 13), compensation the remaining
(non-evitable) emissions.
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
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The efforts of Arcadis Belgium are embedded in a global strategy on
improving quality of life, in which sustainability is one of the five key values.
Significant contribution to the above mentioned SDG’s is therefore included
in the global strategic framework 2018-2020. In Belgium this is translated into
the work we do with clients (our client solutions), how we operate our
business (our organisation) and how we engage with our society through our
knowledge and partnerships (our society).
A strong commitment is made by our CEO and our leadership. Our ambition
is to deliver the most sustainable solutions, creating value for our clients and
our society, within the planet’s carrying capacity. We want to share our
knowledge and expertise to make a difference for society and the
environment. And we aim to ‘lead by example’, by applying the principles of
sustainable development across our own operations. This is translated in 10
measurable objectives and KPI’s.
So far for the future, but how are we performing today?
• Since 2012, we continuously improved our environmental performance
guided by the ISO14001 certified environmental management system.
• In 2018 our carbon footprint equaled 2.040 tons, or 2,63 tons CO2/FTE,
mainly caused by our mobility. We achieved a footprint reduction of 32 %
compared to 2010.
• This result was mainly thanks to reductions in gas and electricity use related
emissions in the offices through our ‘Open Up’ implementation (- 69 %).
International travel by plane or train also decreased with 16 % compared to
2010. CO2 emissions by private cars reduced with 59 %, mainly because of
a shift towards more lease cars: in 2018 48 % of the employees drove a
lease car (392 cars), against 24% in 2010 (194 cars).
• CO2 emissions by lease cars hence increased with 18 % compared to 2010.
Our fleet was still mainly composed of diesel cars.
• Our leadership decided in 2018 to compensate these remaining emissions
through a gold standard project in Kenya.
• Paper use (kg/FTE) decreased spectacularly with 80% compared to 2010.
61 % of our paper is recycled, and the remaining 39 % is FSC labeled.
• We took several communication initiatives to promote sustainability with our
employees. We organized a roadshow on mobility in all offices and
published our sustainability report 2017.
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Arcadis is an integral part of society. With our attitude towards sustainability we want to have an impact on the society in
which we function. For the fifth year on a row, we planted trees in a nature reserve, this year in Muizen near Mechelen. We
celebrated earth day in one office with a small excursion in nearby nature. We supported 3 local CSR projects in which our
colleagues are involved in. We participated in the UN-Habitat Shelter project on climate change adaptation in Comoros and
Madagascar, and supported Protos in their projects in eastern Congo. And finally we engaged in the Artcadia project for
young people set up by KNHM in the Netherlands. Key in nearly all of these initiatives is that they are supported and set up
by colleagues, in a bottom up approach. Both the employees and Arcadis as a company invest time and money in them,
hence contributing to a better society here and in the more vulnerable southern countries.
Because Arcadis is a consultancy company, considerable progress on sustainability could also be made through our client
solutions. We try to go one step beyond the initial ambition of our client and support him in his way towards sustainability.
This report includes a selection of some representative projects. For the universities in Brussels and Antwerp we developed
sustainable buildings. For VVSG we evaluated waste policy instruments. We studied covering the Ring of Antwerp. In
Brussels we contributed to the increase of public transport and on the Albert channel we enabled more inland shipping, we
saved water for agriculture and turned the Demer valley into a natural water management system.
Arcadis and sustainability go well together, but there is of course still quite some room for improvement. Our mobility needs
redesigning to further reduce our carbon footprint. Our ambition to become a market leader in sustainable solutions will
require continuous education and dedication. Focus on sustainability can be improved in all phases of our business: the
market development and tendering, delivering the result and marketing and communication.
Sustainability is a journey, and with every step we take it further, and strengthen this key value into a solid pillar to build on.
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Organisation of 2 events: Make a difference day
in Muizen and Earth Day in Gent
Structural collaboration with 3 NGOs : Protos,
Natuurpunt, UN Habitat
We brainstormed with our future generation
through the Artcadia programme
32% reduction of carbon footprint (kg/FTE),
carbon neutrality achieved by compensating the
remaining emissions (gold standard)
ISO14001 Certificate renewal and validated
transition to 2015 version
Publication of sustainability report 2017,
roadshow on mobility, several articles on
intranet
Market to Opportunity: growth priorities were
defined: ‘Big urban clients’ and ‘Energy
transition’, but not all BLs translated this.
Pursuit to win: sustainability was integrated in
our proposals where the clients were open to it,
but budget remains an issue.
Deliver to Result: 12 sustainable project
references were presented (3 for each BL)
Communication: 4 perspective articles, 1 blog,
largely more than 12 LinkedIn posts over
sustainable projects
PERFORMANCE OVERVIEW 2018
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Health & Safety is a fundamental core value at ARCADIS that helps drive our business. With our Health & Wellbeing policy, we support the "People First" strategy of Arcadis
and we want to create satisfied and committed employees who enjoy a “healthy” work-life balance with higher retention, more involvement and better business results as a
result. Our H&S program includes numerous tools and processes including standards, training, proactive risk assessment and planning, emergency preparedness,
communications, and assurance assessments. A center piece of our program is a process we refer to as TRACK. This process helps us in proactively identifying and
controlling the hazards and risks of each phase of work we accomplish. All parts of our H&S system fit into the TRACK process, including the development of project and site
specific Health and Safety Plans (HASP), peer-to-peer safety observations and feedback, job safety analyses, incident investigations with extensive root cause analysis, and
the prompt and effective sharing of lessons learned with appropriate staff.
Large parts of Belgium are water-scarce regions, due to restricted water resources in combination with dense population and intensive industry. Our specialised team of
engineers, scientists and consultants provide safe and secure water technology that is applied throughout the entire water cycle. Our projects cover the full range, from
surface and groundwater resources protection, water for industrial and residential users including consumption reduction, reuse & recycling, and producing high quality
water from unconventional sources such as brackish water or treated wastewater. Furthermore, we support clean water and sanitation for all communities, for instance
through partnerships with NGO’s such as Protos and our collaboration with UN-Habitat in the Shelter program.
HOW WE CONTRIBUTED TO THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS (SDG’s)
Transport and infrastructure are crucial to the daily lives of millions. Demographic and climate changes require innovative solutions to secure human wellbeing and support
economic development. Through its consulting and design activities, Arcadis Belgium supports clients in developing innovative and sustainable infrastructure solutions for
transportation, water, waste and energy. For infrastructure we focus on use of space and value creation. We focus on urban resiliency, while in our designs we increasingly
consider embedded carbon considerations in the choice of materials. In infrastructure maintenance, we provide smart solutions, which allow for as-needed maintenance,
rather than the more wasteful scheduled maintenance solutions.
Arcadis annually publishes a Sustainable Cities Index, directed at promoting urban sustainability and resilience. In 2018 London tops the index, followed by
Stockholm and Edinburgh. We develop green city action plans for EBRB in Chisinau (Moldova) and Ulaanbaatar (Mongolia). Furthermore, Arcadis Belgium also
supports communities through the UN-Habitat Shelter program and through supporting NGOs such as Protos (see SDG 6).
We develop carbon reduction strategies for our clients by consulting and designing energy efficient buildings, wind energy or geothermal energy projects and
sustainable energy and mitigation plans. Arcadis Belgium also has a carbon reduction strategy in place for its own operations. In 2018, we reduced 32% of our
carbon footprint compared to 2010, and compensated the remaining CO2 emissions to become truly carbon neutral and aim for reduction. We continue our reduction
plans. We assist clients in dealing with the effects of climate change through supply chain resiliency, flood protection design work, the making of vulnerability studies
and climate change adaptation plans, etc.. In our partnership with UN-Habitat, the ‘Shelter’ program, we provided free expertise to communities in Comoros and
Madagascar to build their resilience to climate change related flooding.
Arcadis aims to limit its negative impact on the natural environment whilst enabling developments in a sustainable and resilient way. We raise awareness on the
services nature provides to humanity through our work on natural capital and feel challenged to come up with client solutions resulting in no net loss of biodiversity or
even a net positive gain of nature’s treasures. Working on this topic with the European Union business & Biodiversity platform allows us to bring the newest insights
to our clients. Each year in fall, Arcadis colleagues voluntarily come together to work for the preservation of nature and to plant a forest for the future.
We have a culture of collaboration and believe strongly in the power of partnerships and business networks. We work with global organizations and institutions to
improve quality of life. Our partnerships and memberships on global level include Natural Capital Coalition, United Nations Habitat & Global Compact, and WBCSD.
On Belgian level we partner with Protos, Natuurpunt and Naturologic / CO2logic.
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THE GLOBAL ARCADIS STRATEGY
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OUR PASSION
IMPROVING QUALITY OF LIFEAt Arcadis, we rely on our core values to guide us in everything we do, while we base business decisions on our vision and strategy. Our primary aim is long-
term development and value creation, and our focus is to deliver exceptional and sustainable solutions to our clients, while pursuing new opportunities that fit
our capabilities. In doing so, we contribute by sustainably solving the challenges that clients and communities face around the world.
OUR RE-DEFINED VALUESWe differentiate ourselves through our talented and passionate people, our unique combination of capabilities covering the whole asset lifecycle, our deep
market sector insights, and our ability to seamlessly integrate health and safety and sustainability into the design of our solutions around the globe.
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ARCADIS BELGIUM POLICY AND OBJECTIVES
Improving quality of life is Arcadis’ mission, vision and passion. Through our passion, our people and the work we do
with our clients, we have opportunities to shape the future of our world, every day. Arcadis is committed to improving
the quality of life for all generations by maximizing social, economic and environmental value.
From climate change and rising sea levels to rapid urbanization and pressures on natural resources, our world has
become a more complex place than ever. Arcadis helps clients navigate this complexity by understanding the bigger
picture. Our people work collaboratively to create value through built and natural assets that work in harmony with
their surroundings.
Our global strategy is called ‘creating a sustainable future’. It is guided by sustainability, one of our 5 core values.
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ARCADIS BELGIUM SUSTAINABILITY POLICY
There are three ways we can make a difference to create a sustainable future: the work we do with clients (our client
solutions), how we operate our business (our organisation) and how we engage with our society with our knowledge.
On each of these three pillars we define targets and actions, which we monitor through KPIs (key performance indicators)
and review regularly, leading us to continuous improvement in our processes and our performance such as energy use &
carbon footprint, waste, water and biodiversity.
We are committed to protecting the environment by maximising positive impacts for our clients and creating value for society,
while reducing negative impacts from our own activities.
We are committed to encourage and empower our people to embrace sustainable
practices in everything they do. We strive to developing our people’s capabilities so
they are equipped to solve the complex challenges the world faces today, meeting
compliance obligations from legislation and from stakeholders in our operations and
project activities.
We seek to engage and to create dialogues with our stakeholders on a regular basis
to deepen our insight into their needs and expectations, and to develop sustainability
solutions which serve them better. We have a culture of collaboration, believing
strongly in the power of partnerships. We work with global organisations and
institutions on how we can improve the quality of life.
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Kristof Peperstraete, CEO Arcadis Belgium
“Together with our clients and partners, we push the boundaries of sustainability and fulfil our passion for improving quality of life. Bringing
people, places, and projects together to create a sustainable future.”
OUR GOALS
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Our client solutions
The most significant environmental impact of our work is through our projects for clients, many of which can have a direct and indirect positive impact. Our ambition
is to deliver the most sustainable solutions, creating value for our clients and our society, within the planet’s carrying capacity. These solutions are based on the
clients’ own Sustainability Policy. We want to be the consultants that connect their vision to our knowhow by translating their policy in concrete measures, and
proactively providing sustainable alternatives to their projects.
Our society
Sharing our knowledge and expertise can create great value for our society. We give our employees the opportunity and encourage them to make a difference for
society and the environment. Investing our time and knowledge we can create value for today, for tomorrow and for the future.
Our organisation
As a core value and a strategic driver for our business, we aim to apply the principles of sustainable development across our own operations. We want to ‘Lead by
Example’. We apply an ISO14001 certified management system to drive continuous reduction of our energy use and carbon footprint in our travel and offices, and to
integrate sustainability in all our processes.
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Invest our time to make a difference for today:
organise 3 events
Share our expertise with those who need it so
they can build their tomorrow: collaboration with
2 NGO’s
Brainstorm with our future generation on our
future’s challenges: organise 1 event
Reduce our carbon footprint with 30% by 2020
compared to 2010 (kg CO2/FTE) and achieve
carbon neutrality by 2020.
Be compliant with legal and stakeholder
requirements and with the ISO14001 standard
for environmental management systems
Regularly train our people on sustainability and
involve them
Market to Opportunity: Define growth areas for
sustainable solutions based on our clients vision
Pursuit to Win: translate the clients policy into
concrete sustainable solutions in our proposals
Deliver to Result: perform 12 projects where we
make a difference for sustainability
Communication: tell our clients about our
sustainable solutions (12 articles)
OUR OBJECTIVES & KPIs
OUR PERFORMANCE RESULTSPerformance against targets, actions taken, actions planned
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Organisation of 2 events: Make a difference day
in Muizen and Earth Day in Gent
Structural collaboration with 3 NGOs : Protos,
Natuurpunt, UN Habitat
We brainstormed with our future generation
through the Artcadia programme
32% reduction of carbon footprint (kg/FTE),
carbon neutrality achieved by compensating the
remaining emissions (gold standard)
ISO14001 Certificate renewal and validated
transition to 2015 version
Publication of sustainability report 2017,
roadshow on mobility, several articles on
intranet
Market to Opportunity: growth priorities were
defined: ‘Big urban clients’ and ‘Energy
transition’, but not all BLs translated this.
Pursuit to win: sustainability was integrated in
our proposals where the clients were open to it,
but budget remains an issue.
Deliver to Result: 12 sustainable project
references were presented (3 for each BL)
Communication: 4 perspective articles, 1 blog,
largely more than 12 LinkedIn posts over
sustainable projects
PERFORMANCE OVERVIEW 2018
Through our environmental management system, we continually reduce our energy
consumption & carbon footprint and integrate sustainability into all our choices.
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ISO14001
CertifiedCarbon footprint
reduction
>> Carbon
Neutral by 2020
Engage &
involve our
people
OUR ORGANIZATION
CREDIBILITYOur objective is to be compliant with legal and stakeholder requirements and with the ISO14001 standard for environmental
management systems. In 2018 we continued to assure compliance and our certificate got renewed. Transition to the new
standard was validated.
Arcadis Belgium is certified ISO 14001 since May 2012. We run a systematic PDCA process, including:
• Plan
- Analysis of our context, stakeholders, environmental impact and compliance obligations
- Identify our main risks and opportunities and define actions
- Define sustainability objectives & program, establish a communication plan
• Do
- Implement program actions and communication
- Integration of sustainability in the Arcadis Way processes
• Check
- Monitor indicators & perform audits
- Structural progress meetings & management reviews with top and middle management
• Act
- Improvement & corrective actions
In 2018 we applied our risk-based approach and further integrated sustainability in all our processes ‘The Arcadis Way’. Our
certification body LRQA conducted 3 external audits:
• In March our certificate was renewed, but 1 minor NC (on WEEE) and 1 major NC was identified for the transition to
the new ISO standard. The context and stakeholder analysis needed to be done for each process. We developed a
template and methodology to do a full assessment for each process called the ‘process review’.
• In July the major NC was closed and we successfully obtained the new ISO 14001:2015 certificate.
• In November a surveillance audit was done and no non-conformities were identified.
21In 2019 we will continue our risk-based approach and consolidate the process reviews.
CARBON NEUTRALITY
In 2018, our carbon footprint totaled 2.040 tons of CO2, representing 2,63 tons/FTE. This
result was validated by the acknowledged experts of CO2-logic.
Our total carbon footprint includes:
• scope 1 emissions of gas use and lease cars
• scope 2 emissions of electricity use
• scope 3 emissions of commuting (private cars and public transport), plane and train travel,
project related private car transport, and paper use (<1%).
The main contributor to our footprint is our transport, accounting for 92% or our emissions:
• lease cars (including private use) are responsible for 63% of the CO2 emissions
• private cars are emitting 21% (17% for commuting and 4% business travel).
• plane travel takes up 5%
• and 3% is generated by public transport commuting
The total offices energy use (natural gas and electricity) represents merely 8% of the
emissions.
Note: emissions of home working (from private electricity use and heating) are not accounted
for because they are difficult to accurately monitor. However, emissions caused by the
avoided commuting transport are accounted for. We assume this underestimation and
overestimation of emissions are compensating each other.
22
Our objective to reduce our carbon footprint with 30% by 2020 compared to 2010, was exceeded with a 32% reduction. We
achieved carbon neutrality for the first time, by compensating for the remaining emissions.
Private cars
for projects
Private cars for
commuting
Electricity
Long distance
Transport
Gas
Lease cars
Public transport
commuting
Decreasing trend total carbon footprint 2010-2018
ARCADIS succeeded to steadily decrease its carbon emissions since
2010, with the exception of an emission peak in 2015.
The general decrease is mainly the result of decreased gas and
electricity consumption in our offices, and of decreased transport with
private cars.
However, both positive trends are partly undone by the increasing
transport emissions of our lease cars, that are steadily growing in
number over the years.
In 2018 we achieved a 32,1% reduction in total carbon emissions
per FTE compared to 2010.
23
2018
2.040 ton
2,63 ton/FTE
>< 2010: -1,24 ton/FTE = -32,1%
In 2019 we will continue to implement our carbon reduction plan with a focus on mobility, as described in the following chapters.
CARBON NEUTRALITY
Total: -25%
24
Decreasing carbon footprint of energy use in our offices
CARBON NEUTRALITY
Carbon emissions caused by gas and electricity use in our offices strongly
decreased since 2010: gas emissions decreased with 40% and electricity
emissions decreased with 93%. This decreasing trend has been realised by
several actions:
• We implemented an ‘Open up’ concept: the number of desks needed for
the team was calculated based on the average occupation of the
buildings which resulted in a significant decrease of the number of m2
per FTE. This led to less energy consumption for heating and cooling.
Also the server is now located in a datacenter.
• We moved our offices from old buildings to new ones with a better
energy performance (Ghent in 2017, Charleroi in 2018).
• We gradually started purchasing green electricity (Hasselt, Antwerp,
Ghent, Charleroi) with zero CO2 emissions.
• In our procurement process of IT and office equipment we take into
account energy use criteria.
In 2019 we will move our Antwerp office to Post X, a location nearer to the train station of Berchem. In 2020 we will move our Brussels office.
2018
153 ton
0,33 ton/FTE
>< 2010: -0,73 ton/FTE = -69 %
Total: -25%
25
Decreasing carbon footprint of private cars
CARBON NEUTRALITY
In 2019 we will continue to stimulate commuting and project related transport through public transport, by bike or on foot. We will organize awareness raising sessions
and involve employees.
Carbon emissions caused by project related transport with private cars decreased
with 69% since 2010. Arcadis stimulates employees to use skype for internal
meetings, which reduced the inter office transport. Sharing systems such as Cambio
and city bikes, or steps in our offices, are available to our employees.
However, the strong decrease is probably mostly caused by the shift of private car
use towards more lease car use: compared to 2010, an additional 198 employees
now drive a lease car, while the total number of employees is similar (about 800).
The same trend goes for the carbon emissions caused by commuting with private cars:
they decreased with 56%, also partly due to the shift to lease cars. Nevertheless, Arcadis
offers many incentives for employees to choose for sustainable transport for their
commuting, all gathered in a so call ‘mobility matrix’. These incentives include free public
transport, a bicycle fee per km, bicycle subsidies, showers and lockers, etc. Flexible
working from home is also allowed for 2 days a week, and is frequently used. Arcadis
also aims to select new offices near train stations (currently the case in Antwerp,
Brussels, Hasselt and Liège, not succeeded for Ghent and Charleroi).
2018 PRIVATE CARS
431 ton
0,53 ton/FTE
>< 2010: - 0,76 ton/FTE = - 59%
Lease car
47%
private car
28%
Public transport
14%
Bike/foot 11%
Total: -25%
26
Increased carbon footprint of lease cars
CARBON NEUTRALITY2018 LEASE CARS
1.271 ton
1,55 ton/FTE
>< 2010 : + 0,23 ton/FTE = + 18%
The share of employees with lease cars has significantly increased the past years: in
2010 about 24% of our employees had a company car (194 cars), in 2018 this rose to
48% (392 cars). This resulted in an 18% increase of carbon emissions per FTE in 2018
compared to 2010.
The carbon emissions per car have decreased over the years: Arcadis stimulates the
choice of lower emission vehicles by applying a TCO budget calculation. In combination
with the improving new car technologies that are being developed by the car industry,
this led to less emissions per car: in 2010 the average (theoretic) emissions of an
Arcadis car were 151 g CO2/km, while in 2018 this was reduced to 101 g CO2/km.
Still, our fleet is mainly composed of diesel vehicles: in 2018 our fleet counted merely 1
electric vehicle and 34 petrol vehicles, the rest was diesel. A large potential for
improvement still lies ahead and a phase out of diesel is planned.
In 2019 we will set up a transition plan towards lower emission cars, stimulating
electric and hybrid vehicles, and completely phasing out diesel.
Total: -25%
Overall, airplane travel emissions decreased with 16% compared to 2010. The emissions
peaked in 2014 & 2015 due to the restructuring of Arcadis to Arcadis Europe 2.0, demanding
a more intense collaboration of the Arcadis OpCo’s in Europe.
No clear trend can be observed though, the yearly variability is very high because the travel
needs depend on the projects that we are performing for our clients or Arcadis international
events and management meetings that are organized abroad. Hence, it is not always our own
choice whether we travel or not. However, our skype culture has installed the habit of
questioning ourselves each time whether a travel is absolutely necessary, or whether a skype
participation is acceptable.
International train travel increased until 2016, but then dropped again. It requires further
investigation to evaluate whether the increase in plane travel in 2018 goes hand in hand with
decrease of train travel, or whether this is strictly related to the destinations justifying these
choices. Logically, train travel is still the large minority in kilometers travelled per FTE: 81% of
the total kilometers of international transport was done by plane.
27
Discontinued shift from plane to train travel for international transport
CARBON NEUTRALITY
In 2019 we will investigate whether there is improvement potential to shift from plane to train travel. A travel guide defining which type of international travel should
be done by train will be developed.
From 2010 to 2018, paper use (including both internal as outsourced printing)
spectacularly decreased with 80 % (kg/FTE).
This strong trend can be attributed to various initiatives that were taken over the past
years: from digitization of internal processes (meeting notes in OneNote, digital
invoicing,…) and limiting space for personal paper files in our Open up offices, to
reducing paper weight (g/sheet) and follow-me-printing where a personal badge is
needed to actually print a command. Also our context (the demands of our clients and
competent authorities) had a significant influence: most reports, invoices and proposals
can be delivered in digital format now.
The majority of the paper use is recycled paper: 61%. The paper used by our external
printing company however is not recycled, but is Ecolabel and FSC labelled paper. In
2018 the external printing company reconfirmed that use of recycled paper remains
impossible for them.
28
Strong and continued decrease in paper use
CARBON NEUTRALITY
In the coming years, we will continue to try renegotiating recycled paper use by the external printing company.
2018 paper use
17 kg/FTE
- 80 %
2010 2018
29
Compensation of the remaining emissions
CARBON NEUTRALITY
The project aims at:
• Reducing CO2-emissions in Kenya by providing the people with cookstovesusing less fire wood (35% reduced fuel use)
• Improving access to clean water by providing water treatment systems.
• Improving quality of life by reducing the time and money needed to get firewood and improving access to clean water.
We signed a contract with CO2-Logic for the next 3 years to assure continuity of the Paradigm project.
For the first time we compensated for ournon evitable emissions. We did thisthrough a gold standard project in collaboration with CO2-Logic.
We assure communication with our people in both ways: we inform them and we involve them. Our aim is to engage them to become Arcadis ambassadors for
sustainability.
We train the newcomers on our sustainability program during their introduction days. In 2018, 3 sessions were given*.
We also published more than 32 articles in our newsletter arc@news and on our intranet, talking about results of external audits, sustainable and environmental
projects, buildings and mobility solutions, a variety of CSR initiatives and internal sustainability initiatives.
A roadshow was organised in all our offices and a sustainability report was published again after 4 years of silence. This led to visibility of the sustainability team, and
knowledge and awareness amongst our people on our objectives and performance.
* 20/03 by Linde, 26/06 by Charlotte and 27/11 by Sofie
In 2018 we published our 2017 sustainability report, we organized a roadshow on mobility and we published several articles on intranet.
ENGAGE OUR PEOPLE
30
OUR SOCIETY
We actively support our society by sharing our income, time and knowledge.
Create tomorrow
Share our
knowledge with
those who need
it
Create today
Invest our
time to make
a difference
for today
Create the future
Inspire young people,
our future generation
31
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
Number of participating colleagues 30
Total number of participants 86
Participating offices 4
Hours- payed by Arcadis 80
Hours- volunteered by colleagues 300
Costs covered by Arcadis (€) 3.000
Donations by Arcadis (€) 8.000
For the fifth year in a row, Arcadis colleagues came together to make a real difference for our nature and our society: together with our partner Natuurpunt we
planted 1.000 trees in the nature reserve ‘Mispeldonk’ in Muizen, near the city of Mechelen. Another little piece of Arcadis forest was born. This forest has several
pools and will provide a potential habitat for several salamander species.
CREATE TODAY
32
Make a Difference day: planting trees at Muizen on November 11th.
Natuurpunt organised an info session on the different kinds of
owls, on bumblebees, on the fox and his habitat. Colleagues
and their family played the tree bingo game and enjoyed after
the hard work of planting trees of a nice cup of coffee with
cake.
CREATE TODAY
33
Make a difference day: planting trees at Muizen
Make a Difference day: planting trees at Muizen
On the 24th of April 2018, Arcadis celebrated Earth Day. Unlike 2017 no company wide activities were set up in all offices. Nevertheless in the Ghent office a walk
was organized on the Scheldt riverside with focus on trees and birds, guided by Mike Van Acoleyen and Dirk Libbrecht.
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
Number of participating colleagues 13
Total number of participants 13
Participating offices 1
Hours- payed by Arcadis 0
Hours- volunteered by colleagues 4
Costs covered by Arcadis None
CREATE TODAY
34
Earth Day
Fund raising
Throughout the year, Arcadis colleagues joined forces and set-up initiatives to
raise funds for good causes. This year we donated to:
• The warmathon: Arcadis Belgium supported the Warmathon of Studio Brussel
and paid for the registration of all Arcadians that like to participate, to collect
money for 1.000 good causes. 54 colleagues participated in Warmathon
Antwerp and Warmathon Ghent. Total subsidy of € 810.
• The purchase department ordered also for € 407 candies and cookies from Buy
Aid to the advantage of Child Focus.
CREATE TODAY
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ARCADIS supports UN-Habitat in improving the quality of life of citizens around the world
by sharing our knowledge and expertise on the ground through the Shelter program. This
year colleague Alain Ducheyne participated in a Shelter Mission to Comoros and
Madagascar.
The objective of the mission was an assessment of the UN-Habitat intervention
recommendations for drainage, relief roads, and other flood related interventions, as
proposed by UN-Habitat. Assessment indicators included feasibility, sustainability factors,
climate change factors, and operability and maintenance.
A workshop disseminating the results and the experience of the mission was hosted in our
office in Antwerpen-Berchem.
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UN-Habitat Shelter
We shared our knowledge with the people from Madagascar and Congo, Nepal and Belgium.
We used our knowledge to support communities and non governmental organisations, to create a sustainable future and improve the quality of life for all.
We do this already for many years through our long-term partnership with UN-Habitat in the Shelter program. In 2018 we continued our collaboration with
Protos, and we also supported 3 local society initiatives that our employees are involved in.
CREATE TOMORROW
Next year, we continue our collaboration with UN Habitat.
Protos is a non-governmental organization for development
cooperation that works to improve water management and use in
developing countries and in Belgium. Protos supports concrete
projects, but also the processes to achieve good water
management. This is done in cooperation with local NGOs,
farmers' or users' organizations, local authorities and regional state
services.
Arcadis Belgium commits itself to the free contribution of 80 man-
hours/year of knowledge and expertise, which can be directly used
by the Protos program and for the beneficiary population in
developing countries.
This knowledge and expertise in the field of water management is
specifically linked to a Protos program each year. In 2018 we
supported Protos with GIS and drawing overview maps on water
pits in Ituri, east Congo.
Protos
CREATE TOMORROW
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Next year, we continue our collaboration with Protos.
Corporate social responsibility is high on our agenda. We strive to contribute to a better society. That is why, just before the summer, we called on all colleagues to
present good causes that are close to their hearts. Three initiatives were chosen and each receive a support of 2 500 euros. The winners were:
3 local CSR projects
Campus Coda is a palliative care centre that wants to offer its patients a "near-home house", where every effort is made to meet the
needs of guests and their loved ones in a homely atmosphere. Our beloved colleague Guy De Schepper spent his last weeks there.
The food bank of Huy. Every Friday our colleague Sandrine Vanderelst, currently working on site at Electrabel, volunteers to collect
food for the food bank. On Tuesday this is distributed to the less fortunate people of the region. A few months ago, the cold store failed,
which means that since then it has been necessary to be very creative with the storage space of the food. Thanks to the donation of
Arcadis, Huy's food bank can buy a new freezer and set up an extra space to store food.
The ASHA project was founded after the devastating earthquake that struck Nepal in 2015. The project provides more structural aid to
the local community in Dadhikot and Banakhu: starting up beekeeping in Dagam for the local community for a new and sustainable
source of income, the purchase of cows enabling different families to generate a sustainable income from the sale of dairy products, the
provision of microcredits enables some families to rebuild their homes or build small-scale artisanal initiatives, and children can go to
school thanks to a compensation so that they can guarantee a better future for their family in the long term.
CREATE TOMORROW
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Next year, we continue our support to local CSR projects.
Inspiring young people, our future generation
We participated for the fourth year in Artcadia, an idea contest organised by KNHM for scholars of 13-14 year on the topics of tomorrows’ mobility, housing, water
and environment. It combines technical knowledge with presentation technique and design. It is the biggest contest of its type in the Netherlands, and since a couple
of years, Belgian schools are allowed to participate. Arcadis Belgium visited two Belgian schools to encourage and guide the participants in the development of their
proposal, with great results.
The final took place on April 11th, 2018 at the Evoluon in Eindhoven. The Dr.-Knippenbergcollege from Helmond won the Artcadia Art and Technology finals.
Meanwhile the edition 2018-2019 started, with again two Belgian schools (Heilig Graf Turnhout and Tuinbouwschool Melle) as finalists.
CREATE THE FUTURE
Sint-Jozefsinstituut Kontich: The class had an
idea for an application, called ‘Deeltuin’. The
app allows people with big gardens to share
their garden with others that have less space,
but would like a bigger garden to grow
vegetables, barbecue, play with their
children… The idea was good for a second
place at the Artcadia contest.
Heilig Graf Turnhout: This class came up with the
idea to increase the number of bicycle parking
spaces for limited surface areas such as city
centers and near train stations. They created a
revolving wheel with cabs to place your bike. The
energy to run the wheel is supplied by solar
panels on the cabins. With this project idea, they
scored a nice fourth place.
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OUR CLIENT SOLUTIONS
40
We translate the sustainability policy of our customers
into concrete measures and sustainable alternatives
for their projects
Environment
Water Infrastructure
Buildings
OUR CLIENT SOLUTIONS
ARCADIS acknowledges that the projects we carry out for our customers have a major interaction with the environment, and considers
sustainability to be an integral part of our responsibility. Much of our advice can have a direct positive impact on the environment, and this
applies for all business lines.
In 2018, we performed several projects that contributed to sustainable development in each business line. Some examples are presented on
the next pages.
We want to integrate sustainability deeper in our business lines and in each of our processes:
• Market to opportunity: define which sustainable services we can grow and assure knowledge development
• Pursuit to win: translate the clients vision into sustainable solutions in our offers and strategic pursuits
• Deliver to result: make ongoing projects more sustainable where possible
• Marketing and communication: profile Arcadis as a preferred partner for sustainable solutions on social media/network events/…
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Our objective is to translate the sustainability policy of our customers into concrete measures and sustainable alternatives for their projects
Infrastructure
Water
Environment
Buildings
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• Protecting and restoring our seas
• Provide clean water
• Reduce water use
• Protect coast, city and landscape against
climate change effects 43
Sustainable solutions in our four business lines
Environment
InfrastructureWater
BuildingsIntegration of energy & resource efficiency in our
design
• Green datacenters,
• Zero-energy buildings,
• Circular building materials
Supporting our clients for better sustainable
performance, safer products and increasing
natural capital:
• Reduce waste-carbon-waterfootprints
• Increase biodiversity
• Sustainable soil remediation
• Reducing emissions of city centres by
• Designing public transport systems
• Optimizing land use
• Offering integrated master planning solutions
• Partner for flexible and future orientated mobility
solutions
Sustainable Buildings Design
44
DCA Beerse - BREEAM outstanding office building: highest possible sustainability rating
DCA Beerse is a 5.650 m2 office with an area for start-ups and external events, and 2.700 m2 construction
workshop. The BREEAM outstanding label was requested, which is the highest BREEAM level available. The
following sustainability elements can be highlighted:
• Circular building design, based on an extensive life cycle analysis for both environmental performance and
cost.
• Climate resilient design
• Design of ecologic and biodiverse neighbourhood
• A far reaching site based waste management plan
• Top performance for energy:
• Heat pump connected to geothermal energy
• Passive cooling strategy through sun protection and free-cooling
• Solar panel installation on the roof near the workshop
• 100% LED
.
Sustainable Buildings Design
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LIC – Learning and Innovation Center VUB/ULB (2017-2018): Naturally cooled smart building with solar chimney
The ambition of this project is to develop a Futureproof and innovative NZEB-building, designed to
comply with passive house standards.
Passive and energy efficiency techniques used are:
• Hybrid ventilation with solar chimney (maximize natural ventilation, only mechanical where
necessary)
• Natural night ventilation through controlled windows and active thermal mass
• Heat pump technology with energy recuperation
• LED lightning
• CO2-sensors automatically control the ventilation, energy efficient ventilators, pumps, etc.
Other sustainable design solution integrated in the project are:
• Renewable energy production by installing Solar panels (100kW)
• Green roofs
• Water neutral trough rainwater recuperation and aerated reed land
• Smart Building user interface
Sustainable Buildings Design
46
In the context of reforms in higher education, the UA needs a new building for chemistry labs on the
Groenenborger campus. For the design of this new building, a competition was organised in which
the project had to be worked out into a preliminary design. Arcadis won this competition, in
collaboration with dbv-architecten. It is a compact building where the various departments of the
department of chemistry have their laboratories and offices. Because of the risks involved in the
various chemistry labs, the assignment started with an extensive risk analysis. The specific risks
were made manageable and were included in the design of the building, both in terms of architecture,
stability, techniques and sustainability.
The design took into account UA's desire to build as sustainably as possible. This is reflected both in
the ecological sustainability, where the impact of materials and circular building was taken into
account, and in the energy sustainability. The design aims at an Almost Energy Neutral (BEN)
building with a K-level of 19. Within these sustainability ambitions, separate climate principles were
designed. The result is a compact, sustainable building, with the necessary flexibility to enable future
extensions and/or changes. The building permit application will be drawn up and the implementation
file will be completed. Work is scheduled to commence medio 2020.
Chemical labs for the University of Antwerp: Energy efficient chemical lab building
Sustainable Environmental Projects
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Supporting Cefic in the development of a guidebook and a self-
assessment tool to help chemical companies and national associations
implement the Responsible Care programme across Europe.
The self-assessment tool with 101 multiple choice questions allows chemical companies to:
Assess their level of maturity in the implementation of the program;
Assess distance to ISO9001, ISO14001, ISO26000, ISO45001, ISO50001 and EMAS as well as to the SDG sustainable development goals;
Obtain concrete and tailor-made advice for improvement;
Compose a specific action plan.
Sustainable Environmental Projects
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An upgrade for Fost Plus, evaluation and improvement proposals for packaging responsibility
RECOVER, a collaboration network of 12 intermunicipal waste collection and treatment organisations and the city of
Antwerp, supported by VVSG the federation of Flemish Cities and Municipalities, asked ARCADIS to evaluate the
environmental performance of the Belgian Collaboration Agreement on Packaging Waste. They wondered whether
waste collection could be better organised, with less litter and higher environmental outcome.
We found out that the Packaging Directive and its implementation via the extended producer responsibility and the
recognised organisms (including Fost-Plus) underperforms the reported figures in terms of recycling, does not
sufficiently encourage prevention, fails to push certain environmentally unfriendly packaging off the market, does
not sufficiently transfer full responsibility to the producer, for example for litter. But it does have an arsenal of
possibilities, which can be played to the full.
The policy advices of Arcadis found its way into the public debate, the parliamentary discussions, the new permit for
Fost Plus, the advice of the MINA Council and the proposals to amend the Collaboration Agreement.
Sustainable Environmental Projects
49
A Belgian-Romanian team of Arcadians collected knowledge on the effects of different kinds of renewable energy
on EU protected species and habitats and searched for mitigating measures.
We looked at wind energy, solar energy, tidal and wave energy, geothermic energy and bio energy, thus at all forms
of renewable energy except hydropower. We identified good practices and formulated advice to ameliorate the
efficiency of the planning and permit procedures. Part of the project was realised through extensive stakeholder
contacts via interviews and workshops and through dissemination missions in all EU Member States.
The finality is among others the update of the EU Guidance Document ‘Wind energy developments and Natura
2000’.
Reviewing and mitigating the impacts of renewable energy developments on habitats and species
Sustainable Infrastructure Design
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Covering the Ring of Antwerp
The covering of the Ring of Antwerp, or the Oosterweel file, is a much discussed file in which after years of
protests a solution has been found in the collaboration between the policy makers and the major citizen
action groups. Its main goal is to untangle the mobility node while protecting the city against particulate
emissions.
The solution in a major and complex infrastructure investment programme of which ARCADIS is proud to
realise part. The first phase of work on the Oosterweel link in Antwerp begins in spring 2018. BAM
(Beheersmaatschappij Antwerpen Mobiel) has appointed the Rinkoniên contractor consortium (Artes
Roegiers, Artes Depret, CIT Blaton, MOBILIS and Stadsbader) for the works in the Antwerp district of
Linkeroever and Zwijndrecht. Arcadis will carry out the execution studies for Rinkoniên. The works include
complete modifications to the E17, E34, Antwerp Ring and various access and exit interchanges and
complexes. A communication route is also being developed to better surround the environment and relieve
congestion in the surrounding neighbourhoods. A new P+R building is to accommodate 1,500 cars and 150
bicycles and a new tram infrastructure is being built. In addition, 9 kilometres of cycle and pedestrian paths,
bridges and subways are also (re)developed and 4 eco-pipes and noise reduction measures are planned.
Arcadis is in charge of the execution studies. Up to 40 colleagues will work on this project simultaneously.
Preparatory work started in spring 2018.
Sustainable Infrastructure Design
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Raising the bridges over the Albert Channel
Arcadis and Sweco provide full support to the Flemish Waterway in the studies, tendering and execution
of the works for the construction of seven bridges over the Albert Canal. This concerns the bridges in
Eigenbilzen, Zutendaal, Stokrooie, Kwaadmechelen Zwartenhoek, Eindhout, Geel-Stelen and Herentals-
Lier.
Under the supervision of Arcadis, De Vlaamse Waterweg has appointed Via T Albert NV to rebuild seven
bridges over the Albert Canal in order to increase the headroom. The reconstruction of the seven bridges
is part of the project that aims to increase the free clearance height over the entire length of the Albert
Canal to at least 9.10 metres. The higher headroom increases the efficiency of inland navigation in
general and provides an additional boost for container shipping in particular.
By 2030 we expect a considerable growth in freight transport. Carrying even more extra freight by road is
not an option. That is why we are investing heavily in alternatives such as our waterways. By raising the
bridges over the Albert Canal, we offer entrepreneurs an attractive alternative for truck transport.
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A new metro line will be built in Brussels: the line 3 Albert-Bordet. This major project includes the adaptation of
the existing tram line to a pre-metro, but also an extension with 5 km of new metro line, fully automatic operation,
the construction of 7 new stations and a maintenance and parking area for the metro vehicles. Arcadis was
appointed by Beliris to manage the costs, risk management and planning of the project during the study and
execution phase.
The extension, which will increase metro frequency and capacity, will enable the Brussels metro network to meet
the expected demographic growth. Offices, shops, cultural institutions and schools will be better and faster
accessible. The new route will run from Brussels North station to the new maintenance workshop in Haren. The
new stations on this line are Liedts, Colignon, Verboeckhoven, Riga, Linde, Vrede and Bordet.
All major cities are facing growing challenges related to traffic congestion and air pollution. We are very pleased
to be able to contribute to this project in order to improve the mobility and quality of life of Brussels residents and
commuters in Brussels.
Sustainable Infrastructure Design
Expansion of the Brussels metro
Sustainable Water Projects
The Demer Valley between Werchter and Diest will undergo major changes in the coming years. The Agency
for Nature and Forests, together with the Flemish Waterway, has started reconnecting the old closed meanders
to the river. This is done within the framework of the so-called Sigma Plan, in which at various places between
Werchter and Diest de Demer will be reconnected with its meanders to prevent flooding in winter and drought in
summer. Arcadis designed the development plan for this first subproject, did the hydrological modelling and
drew up the environmental permit including the EIR exemption.
During the works, the sites will first be cleared, so that the silted-up meanders can be further excavated and
space released to reconnect the Demer and the meander. The trees that disappear around the meander will be
compensated in the broader Sigma Plan. During wet periods the meanders will ensure that the excess water is
collected, but at the same time the meanders and the planned breaches in the dike will ensure that the adjacent
valley area can be flooded again in a natural way so that floods at the level of built-up areas can be avoided. In
dry periods the river drains the water more slowly, which prevents it from drying out. The surrounding banks are
designed in a natural way, which benefits the living space for animals and improves water quality. The
colleagues from Infra and Environment took care of the development plan, the hydrological modelling, the EIR
exemption file, and the preparation of the single permit. In the past, Arcadis was already involved in drawing up
an EIR plan and a social cost-benefit analysis.
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Transformation the Demer valley
Sustainable Water Projects
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Fighting water scarcity at Ardo, world producer of frozen vegetables in Ardooie
Commissioned by Ardo, Arcadis and Dema Group developed a unique project to combat water scarcity in periods of
prolonged drought. Since August 2018, the waste water from vegetable processing, together with rainwater, has
been collected in a buffer basin of no less than 150,000 cubic metres, instead of being piloted into a neighbouring
stream. Through a pump house and 25 km of underground pipes that will be laid in the course of 2019, the water
will be sent to 150 collection points. 47 Farmers who joined forces in the INERO CVBA cooperative will thus be able
to irrigate more than 500 hectares of agricultural land, even in periods of prolonged drought. Dema Group designed
the pump house and Arcadis designed the route for 25 km of underground pipelines based on relief, existing utility
pipelines and a cost-benefit analysis.
This project is undoubtedly unique in Flanders: Industry and agriculture are working together to secure their water
supply. Such projects will become increasingly important to arm us against water problems caused by global
warming. The project was realised with European, Flemish and West-Flemish support through the Interreg
Vlaanderen-Nederland programme, the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries and the province of West-Flanders
respectively.
External communicationWe want to tell the world about what we do
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This report was realised with the contributions of Jan Vangrinsven, Katrien Hermans, Jordi Desmet, Sofie Verret, Sofie Willems (project lead) and Mike Van Acoleyen (editor).
Arcadis.Improving quality of life.Arcadis.Improving quality of life.
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