Construction company K_Dekker aims to further concretise, integrate and embed sustainability within its organisation. Together with SUB, K_Dekker set a clear strategic sustainability course in 2022. In 2023, the follow-up will start with an implementation programme. In this review, sustainability coordinator Tilly Bakker describes how the working group experienced the first part of the guidance process.
After graduating in Built Environment - Bouwkunde from the Hogeschool van Amsterdam, Tilly is joining K_Dekker as a trainee. She has been known within the organisation for some time; first as an intern and then as a so-called one-day-spitter. In August 2022, she was given the role of sustainability coordinator. In this role, she is the point of contact within the organisation and booster of the sustainability working group.
In recent years, family construction company K_Dekker has implemented fine sustainable initiatives. Why is a strategic sustainability course a logical next step? "Sustainability is a hot topic, anno now it can no longer be ignored within the organisation and we are compelled to set a strategic course for K_Dekker. The necessity comes not only from laws and regulations, but also from the organisation's ambitions. Progressive, a core value we stand for, makes us want to move with the times and do our bit to preserve the earth and liveability for generations to come."
The sustainability vision and strategic policy are an extension of each other. "Our core values (inspiring, together, progressive, success and pride) have therefore been guiding in this. Our higher goal, also known as the sustainability mission, is to build a liveable future for people and planet together. As a family company, we feel it is our responsibility, in everything we do, to continuously and proactively seek the right balance between people, the environment and society. With this, we focus on continuity and a liveable future for generations to come."
Guided by SUB, the working group chose five focus SDGs:
3) "A first important one is focused on our employees; good health and well-being."
7) "Affordable and sustainable energy we see as central to our organisation in combating climate change, this is in line with our mission."
11) "To survive as an organisation, we work together daily in a sustainable way on cities, infrastructure and housing."
12) "Where we want to go with the organisation is a fully circular business by 2030 in which SDG 12 is responsible consumption and production."
17) "As a final focus SDG, partnerships were unanimously chosen. After all, we do not build alone, but together with our partners, and in this we are keen to invest to achieve shared goals."
The working sessions took place at K_Dekker's office. How did the group experience the sessions? "These sessions were very energetic, dynamic; everyone was 'on' and to my mind we flew through the material. I experienced the atmosphere as very pleasant, as I am not used to otherwise within the organisation. Everyone has their say, is not afraid to share their ideas or opinions. The thing that makes this then also pleasant is that everyone is respected at all times, regardless of the diverse composition of the working group."
Has SUB fulfilled K_Dekker's brief? "SUB has helped us tremendously and has definitely fulfilled the assignment so far. The nice thing about working with SUB is that they are very approachable and can move quickly, I noticed this several times within the working sessions. They also made me realise that what we have at K_Dekker, not every organisation has and that we can be enormously proud of that. I look forward to working out the follow-up steps (implementation programme) for our organisation with SUB in the new year."
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