Taking the next step towards sustainability together

The Decarbonisation Summit organised by ABN AMRO in February during the ABN AMRO Open tennis tournament drew more than 400 business people, each with their own experiences and questions about how to make their business more sustainable. The conference is just one more way ABN AMRO is helping companies move forward in terms of sustainability. It’s an issue that’s becoming more urgent by the day, as businesses, particularly SMEs, need to pick up the pace to meet the 2030 climate targets.

Accelerating change

If anything can accelerate change, it’s sharing knowledge. So the bank gave participants the chance to hear from companies that are already well on their way to decarbonisation.

Representatives from a range of sectors took to the stage to share what they know about this issue. Many agreed that the first steps to reducing carbon emissions are fairly straightforward, like using energy more intelligently and efficiently. Picking all the low-hanging fruit is actually crucial to the rest of the process, as the positive experience of that success will help drive the entrepreneur forward in the next stages.

Challenging

Things get more challenging when a company starts to make its production processes more sustainable by way of electrification or different (e.g. renewable) raw materials, a step that requires courage and innovation within the company itself. It’s at this point that many entrepreneurs can use some extra help.

Solange advises business owners to tap into the knowledge of their clients, suppliers, industry peers, government authorities and the bank. At the summit, for example, the bank’s own Sandra Phlippen of Group Economics discussed options for many companies to cut their emissions. ABN AMRO’s economists recently analysed these options in a report on low-carbon technologies in twenty-one sectors, along with sector-based scenarios for reducing emissions and government schemes that facilitate decarbonisation.

In various break-out sessions, entrepreneurs were able to delve further into topics such as energy efficiency, renewable energy, building insulation, the natural gas transition and carbon credits.

A look behind the scenes

Obviously, a sector strategy is not a business strategy, which is why the bank is sharing its network and bringing businesses together. After all, a behind-the-scenes look at another company can be instructive and inspiring. All the networking facilitated by the Decarbonisation Summit shows how collaboration can accelerate sustainability. Six of the bank’s clients shared their experiences, including obstacles and successes, touching on subjects like applying for sustainable innovation subsidies and the financial benefits that decarbonisation can bring. Businesses that have embraced renewable energy are often far less vulnerable to rising energy prices, for example.

By sharing knowledge and experience, the bank is actively helping entrepreneurs to develop their expertise, enabling them to take the next step and make a greater positive impact on society.

Want to discuss how to make your business more sustainable?

Photography: Hannie Verhoeven