Sustainability Plan 2025 - summary
EVERYONE ON BOARD
At Essent, we believe that everyone should be able to participate in the energy transition. We realize how big this challenge is. The Netherlands has over 8 million households, of which about one million households struggle to make their homes sustainable. Approximately 40% of this group even lives in energy poverty. That is why we are committed to accessible and sustainable energy solutions, a strong and climate-neutral energy system, and an organization where everyone can participate and bring out the best in themselves. Our goal is clear: Ensure that the energy transition is successful for everyone. Our ESG policy is therefore called: Everyone on Board!
OUR STANDPOINTS AND BELIEFS
With our Sustainability Plan we can take the lead and mobilize everyone involved. By setting a good example. With strong ambitions, clear plans and concrete actions for all of us.
We will achieve this in three ways:
SUSTAINABLE ENERGY FOR EVERYONE
Many people would like to transition to sustainable solutions but don't know how. We will provide extra help to those who cannot manage by themselves. We offer insights and advice. We reduce barriers and make the switch to sustainable energy as easy as possible. We make energy understandable for everyone and bring sustainability literally within reach. In The Hague, where our national government is located, we campaign for a fair energy system.
OUR AMBITIONS:
- By 2035, we will have assisted 280,000 households that cannot transition on their own with the next step in the energy transition.
- By 2035, we will have helped 120,000 households in energy poverty with the next step in the energy transition.
- Through our “Geefplan”, we allocate 1 million euros annually for social investment to combat and prevent energy poverty.
- We allow our employees to do one day of volunteer work annually on social projects.
EVERYONE BENEFITS FROM CLIMATE STABILITY
We are moving from grey to green and we set the right example ourselves. We aim to reduce the CO₂ emissions from our offices and our vehicle fleet. We do the same with the CO₂ emissions from our suppliers and their products. For our customers, we increasingly purchase sustainable energy and help them transition away from natural gas. At the same time, we make entire neighbourhoods and business parks more sustainable with smart energy management systems. By fully embracing circular practices, we save money for our customers and reduce even more CO₂.
OUR AMBITIONS:
- By 2030, we will be CO₂ neutral in our own operations
- We will sell more sustainable than fossil energy by 2030.
- By 2035, we will be completely CO₂ neutral.
- By 2030, our offices in Den Bosch and Zwolle will use 55% fewer new materials and produce a maximum of 10% residual waste compared to 2022.
- By 2035, we will reduce, extend, and recycle 40% of our materials.
- By 2050, we will do this for 100% of our materials.
EVERYONE IS EQUALLY IMPORTANT AT ESSENT
We can only include everyone in the energy transition if we are truly there for everyone ourselves. Within Essent, everyone has the right to equal opportunities. We are committed to diversity, equality, inclusivity, health, safety, and integrity within our organization.
OUR AMBITIONS:
- By 2027, our employees will score 9+ on inclusivity and diversity.
- By 2025, we will permanently close the Gender Pay Gap and only accept pay differences if there is a fair and objective reason.
- We aim for at least 40% women in Senior Management, Board, and Supervisory Board.
- Our Vision Zero strategy aims to maintain zero fatal accidents and continuously reduce the number of accidents with a target LTIF below 3.9 and an SIF of 0.
- We strive for a safe working environment and aim for an absenteeism rate below 5%.
- We handle data safely, responsibly, and transparently, working only with partners who share our values and comply with the law.
- We train all employees in human rights, competition law, and cybersecurity, and 100% of our employees endorse our code of conduct.
TAKING THE LEAD
Our ambitions are not intended to 'look good'. Our story is not about claiming success. For Essent, it's about making impact. Yes, we are a major player with significant responsibility, but we cannot do this alone. We can only get everyone involved if everyone participates from our partners to politicians and interest groups. We know the world only moves when someone takes the lead. That is our role. We want to be the driving force behind a fair transition. Therefore, we focus primarily on all those households that struggle to keep up. And particularly on the 400,000 experiencing energy poverty. Because if they can keep up, everyone can.
WATCH THE MINI-DOCUMENTARY
NEIGHBOURHOOD BY NEIGHBOURHOOD, STREET BY STREET, HOUSE BY HOUSE
As the largest energy company in the Netherlands, we are at the heart of society. Essent's purpose has been for years: 'Essent helps everyone with the next step in the energy transition'. We must and want to ensure that the energy transition is a success for everyone. And we do that by making sustainable energy accessible for everyone. Neighbourhood by neighbourhood, street by street, house by house. Curious about our impact so far and want to know more? Explore our complete Sustainability Plan.