'We are capturing more CO2 than we use'

Koppert Cress recently started receiving geothermal energy. This has marked a crucial step for the Dutch cress specialist in its goal of becoming completely fossil-free. However, this isn't the end of the road. "We've set ourselves the goal of being climate-positive this year," says director Stijn Baan. "We're going to neutralise any CO2 emissions we can't reduce."

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The Dutch company Koppert Cress produces freshly sprouted cresses and other edible flowers and leaves. Flavor and health are the starting points. The company combines this passion with a deep commitment to sustainability. "It's an integral part of who we are and how we work," says director Stijn Baan. Koppert Cress has been committed to making greenhouse horticulture more sustainable and reducing its environmental impact for many years. They even launched a separate company called Division Q, which develops technical innovations with partners to achieve sustainability. These innovations are tested and scaled up in practice at Koppert Cress, ultimately finding their way into the sector.

Neutralise all CO2

Sustainability has always been a central theme in Koppert Cress's business operations. "Even before it became widely accepted within the sector. We didn't follow the hype, but always did so from an intrinsic motivation," says Baan. "For example, we've also set ourselves the goal of being climate-positive this year. We're going to neutralise all the CO2 we can't reduce. We're capturing CO2, for example, by planting trees. But we've also launched all sorts of initiatives involving insulation materials and regenerative cultivation. That costs money, but it also motivates us to keep reducing. What we really want is to capture more CO2 than we use."

To achieve that goal, Baan believes it's important to accurately calculate CO2 emissions. Koppert Cress has fully mapped its own footprint, including Scope 3. Scope 3 refers to all indirect emissions that arise within a company's value chain, but are beyond its direct control. Think of transport, product use, and waste. “We've taken everything into account, so I can say that the more boxes of product you buy from us, the more CO2 is captured.” However, according to Baan, the company can still take further steps in terms of neutralisation. “We have a clear picture of the reduction. We know exactly what we need to work on. That's the beauty of this footprint calculation.”

LEDs and energy storage

Koppert Cress is a pioneer in international horticulture. The company was one of the first to implement large-scale LEDs in greenhouses. LEDs are now widely embraced, however, “Horticulture wasn't ready for it at the time, but you need pioneers to change things.” Furthermore, since 2011, they've been using geothermal energy storage on a large scale. This allows greenhouses to be heated and cooled sustainably, resulting in annual savings of approximately 400,000 m³ of gas and a significant reduction in CO2 emissions. “As a result, combined with geothermal energy, we now have access to various sustainable energy sources, so we're never dependent on just one. That's incredibly valuable.”

An important fact is that Koppert Cress opens its doors and shows everyone what it does. “Yes, we are innovative, but we also want to share that with the rest of the world.” Koppert Cress strives to increase consumer enthusiasm for healthy products. By producing those products as sustainably as possible, it is easier to achieve that goal, Baan believes. “As a horticultural industry, we must collectively make this happen. Let's compete with other sectors that make unhealthy products, not with each other.”

Division Q was therefore founded for the sector. This company collaborates with startups on innovative technologies to make horticulture more sustainable. "Instead of companies hiring technicians or appointing sustainability managers themselves, I'd say: invest that budget in Division Q and the whole sector can benefit from the progress being made there. So far, we've validated all the innovations from Division Q at Koppert Cress, but we're seeing growing interest from the sector to play an active role in this as well. That's a positive development."

From sustainability to recovery

But what's a good starting point for companies still at the beginning of their sustainability journey? According to Baan, it's wise to first determine what you need to transition from sustainability to recovery. "Invest your time and money in creating a good CO2 calculation for your organization. There are now plenty of agencies that can help with this and validate the calculations. Then you'll know exactly where your CO2 emissions are. And take things from there. Talk to your suppliers and ask them for a CO2 calculation as well. What are the emissions from that box or that sticker? You don't have to address every detail right away, but this way you'll know where you can truly make an impact."

Sustainability doesn't always require major investments. According to Baan, it's also about mindset. "There are plenty of opportunities out there for the taking. But if you really want to take steps towards the future, it's going to hurt. It takes time, energy, and money. You often have to sacrifice something. But in return, you gain a sector we can all be proud of."