We strive for sustainable growth

PEOPLE MAKE THE DIFFERENCE

Sustainable growth of our people

Everyone has their own talents, ambitions and goals. We offer our people plenty of opportunities to steer their own careers and do everything we can to support them. Our Plantify Academy gives employees the chance to develop leadership qualities and expand their professional knowledge. It also offers tailored workshops and training courses, such as an apprenticeship programme for young talent. When our people grow, so do we!

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CUSTOMERS AND SUPPLIERS

Sustainable growth of our relationships

We build long-term partnerships with customers and suppliers to achieve sustainable growth for them and for us. Together with our partners, we create a plant range that is perfectly suited to the retail formula and consumers’ wishes. We ensure timely and complete delivery at the lowest supply chain costs. This means we can provide our customers with quality plants, thereby helping them improve their competitive edge and returns.

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SUSTAINABILITY THEMES

Sustainable growth of our world

Although plants make the world a more beautiful and greener place, our sector still faces a number of challenges in the area of sustainability. CO2 emissions, plant protection products and plastics: we can and must do better. At Royal Lemkes, we have taken on a pioneering role and are working hard to achieve our goals.

We want to make the entire supply chain more sustainable, from grower to consumer. We do this by working together, by connecting all partners, even our competitors, and by sharing knowledge. As a frontrunner in this sector, we support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) of the United Nations and have embedded them in six ambitions – our sustainability themes.

At the end of 2020, we also further sharpened our sustainability ambitions for the next 10 years:

Our dream for 2030
– To sell twice as many plants as in 2020: from 125 to 250 million.
– ‘Positive plants’: the plants we sell will contribute to a healthier planet and a better life for all.

Our dream for 2030

Our six
sustainability themes

  • 1. Climate
  • 2. Biodiversity
  • 3. Natural resources
  • 4. Working conditions in the supply chain
  • 5. Society
  • 6. Employees

1. Climate

Our contribution to SDG 13

Making the supply chain sustainable is only possible if parties in the chain cooperate and take responsibility together. Mapping out the climate impact of our products has provided insights into carbon-reduction opportunities.

In 2021, our operations were completely climate neutral.

Our fleet is 50% electric and we no longer have any diesel vehicles. New lease cars are electric only and there are now 14 double charging stations available on our premises.

Our gas and electricity use, business fleet, business travel and packaging materials are not yet climate neutral. We offset our CO2 emissions through the FairClimate-Fund.

Our goal for 2022 is to see all our partner carriers measure their carbon footprint.

We calculated the carbon footprint of 50 growers and introduced Footprint Fridays to further reduce our impact on the road to ‘positive plants’ by 2030.

Footprint Friday

2. Biodiversity

Our contribution to SDGs 12, 13 and 14

The percentage of sustainably sourced products this year rose to 93 per cent. The FSI (Floriculture Sustainability Initiative) target of 90 per cent of sustainably sourced products has therefore been amply met.

Together with Tuinbranche Nederland and the environmental organisation Natuur en Milieu, we are actively reducing the use of plant protection products and carrying out annual residue monitoring.

This year, we sold 372,500 more organic products than in 2019.

3. Natural resources

Our contribution to SDGs 12

Royal Lemkes intends to be fully circular by 2030. A circular economy is a closed loop in which natural resources, components and products lose as little value as possible and their reuse is optimised.

Using 2020 as a benchmark, we aim for a 10 per cent annual reduction in the use of plastic and a 50 per cent reduction by 2025. Our ambition is to implement multi-use plant trays by 2030.

4. Working conditions in the supply chain

Our contribution to SDGs 1 and 8

Within the framework of the International Responsible Business Conduct (IRBC) Agreement that we signed in July 2019, Royal Lemkes actively participates in several working groups. These groups are developing action plans for a living wage, reducing the impact of plant protection products, tackling climate change and due diligence.

5. Society

Our contribution to SDGs 3, 6 and 9

Through the Royal Lemkes Foundation, we support various social projects, including the Waterpas Foundation and the Plastic Soup Foundation. The Plastic Soup Foundation fights against the plastic waste that threatens our seas and oceans.

We also work together with DSW, a sheltered workshop that helps people who have difficulty entering the labour market to participate in society. In addition, we donate unsold plants to care homes and food banks.

Find out more about the Royal Lemkes Foundation

6. Employees

We believe it is important that our employees feel connected with each other and with our beautiful company. Our entire HR policy is aimed at enabling people to grow and to do so sustainably. We do this by offering courses and educational programmes as well as by creating an open culture in which everyone can be themselves.

It is only by being yourself that you can improve daily. When we do this together, we achieve the best possible result for our customers and for the world around us.

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