Glossary

The ambition level indicates the level at which you want to enter. During the audit, a Certifying Body (CI) enters into a dialogue with you about your objectives and measures. The CB does this on the basis of the action plan drawn up by you and your own substantiation of your relative starting position and ambition level. The CB uses the Measure List you have filled in as a tool to conduct this discussion critically and to ask questions about the level of ambition shown by your measures taken and planned. In this way, the CB tests your own substantiation of your chosen ambition level.

An audit for the CO₂ Performance Ladder is a systematic, independent and documented process for obtaining an image of the organization's CO₂ performance and assessing it objectively to determine the extent to which the requirements of the CO₂ Performance ladder are met.

During the certification process, an organization prepares for the audit (ladder assessment). This means that the organization compiles a portfolio with which it demonstrates that it meets the general requirements and the requirements from the audit checklist and the CO₂ Performance Ladder (Chapter 6 of Handbook 3.1). From level 3, an organization must draw up an emission inventory. Chapter 5 of Handbook 3.1 contains information about this emission inventory and the associated CO₂ emission factors. During the fourth step of the certification process, the organization itself evaluates, before the Ladder CI comes by, whether it is ready for the ladder assessment. Section 6.1 describes how the organization can carry out this check. The final step of the certification process is the ladder assessment. A Ladder CI assesses the organization by means of an audit (step 5). After a successful ladder assessment, the Ladder CI will issue a CO₂ awareness Certificate. Chapter 7 of Handbook 3.1 contains all information about certification in accordance with the CO₂ Performance Ladder.

The Kyoto Protocol lists some gases that make an important contribution to the greenhouse effect: the retention of solar heat around the earth. The greenhouse gases cause climate change to occur. The main greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide (CO₂) and methane (CH₄).

A Certifying Body (CB) is a conformity assessment body that is authorized by SKAO to perform an audit (ladder assessment) if the CB is accredited by the Accreditation Council (RvA) or by another accreditation organization with which the RvA has entered into a Multi Lateral Agreement. MLA (EA / IAF) has been Accredited. An overview of the accredited CBs can be found here.

Carbon dioxide, or CO₂, is a common, naturally occurring molecule that contains two oxygen atoms and one carbon atom. In everyday conditions on Earth, carbon dioxide is a common gas that is all around us. It is colorless, odorless, is naturally present in the Earth's atmosphere and is an important part of the Earth's carbon cycle. All humans and animals exhale carbon dioxide during their breathing and plants absorb it during a process called photosynthesis to grow.

CO₂ is called a greenhouse gas because CO_2, as part of the earth's atmosphere, absorbs the sun's energy and keeps the world at a viable temperature. However, increases in atmospheric CO₂ related to human activities can cause problems. Burning fossil fuels creates extra CO₂ (along with other greenhouse gases) in the atmosphere. This leads to too much energy in our atmosphere. This extra energy causes increasing climatic instability, resulting in large changes in weather patterns.

Document issued by a Ladder CI recognized for this purpose, which demonstrates the justified confidence that an organisation's CO₂ conscious management system meets the requirements for the level of the CO₂ Performance Ladder stated on the certificate.

CO₂ footprint is synonymous with COâ‚‚ footprint or carbon footprint: a measure, expressed in tons of CO₂ , for CO₂ emissions resulting from the use of fossil fuels in traffic, aviation, transport, electricity production, heating, et cetera, which in any case separately includes all scope 1 and 2 emissions. In the CO₂ Performance Ladder, the scope 3 emission 'business travel' is also included as part of the CO₂ footprint.

The CO₂ Performance Ladder is a CO₂ management system: it requires continuous improvement of insight, further CO₂ reduction measures, communication and cooperation in business operations. In the execution of projects, but also in the chain. This is also referred to as the 'plan-do-check-act' cycle: repetitive processes within the company, aimed at improving both CO₂ performance and improving the management system.

Indirect CO₂ emissions from products and services sold. This also includes products and services that are distributed but not sold (ie without payment). See in Handbook 3.1 also §5.1 and the Scope diagram (Figure 5.1).

DuboCalc is a method to calculate the environmental impact of a material, structure or method. The entire life cycle is visualized, from extraction to demolition. Subsequently, DuboCalc converts these environmental effects into one number via the so-called 'shadow price method': the Environmental Cost Indicator value (MKI value).

The Green Deal Sustainable GWW aims to make sustainability an integral part of rail, ground, water and road (GWW) construction projects by 2020. To achieve this, there is the practical Approach to Sustainable Civil Engineering (Dutch only). This approach makes sustainability concrete in civil engineering projects without prescribing in advance how sustainability gains are achieved. This can differ per project.

The objective of the Green Deal is that in 2020, GWW projects will apply the Sustainable GWW Approach in planning, construction, tendering, management and maintenance. This is underpinned by a major change challenge. This change assignment is translated into four transition lines that the signatories are working on together, individually and concretely. The starting point for achieving a sustainable sector is a good balance between People, Planet and Prosperity. For more information see https://www.duurzaamgww.nl/ (Dutch only)

The energy assessment includes the process of identifying and evaluating energy use within the organization. The energy assessment consists of a broad analysis of energy consumption (for the organization as a whole to different energy sources) and energy consumption and analysis in more detail to identify the facilities, devices or processes that have a significant impact or energy consumption. In order to be able to take targeted measures to reduce energy consumption and the associated costs, it is necessary to gain insight into existing energy consumption, its distribution over the various organizational purposes, the causes of energy loss, etc. The energy assessment is primarily current consumption. See also ISO 50001 §4.4.3.

Organization that is independent and professional and has relevant knowledge with regard to life cycle analyzes and CO₂ emissions. This could, for example, be a university or a consultancy.

A chain is defined as a specific line of leading and decreasing companies and organizations.

Analysis of CO₂ emissions in one of the chains in which the organization is active.

A chain initiative is a systematic approach (part of requirement 4.B.2) based on a chain analysis (requirement 4.A.1), together with partners in the relevant chain, a predetermined reduction target (requirement 4.B.1 ) in that chain.

Parties both upstream and downstream in the chain(s) of the organization with which the organization collaborates. This can be, for example, customers, distributors, suppliers or clients.

The national climate agreement contains the agreements that the government has made with companies and organizations to achieve CO₂-related objectives. These objectives are: to emit 49% less in 2030 than in 1990; emit 95% less in 2050 than in 1990.

Climate neutral indicates that no greenhouse gases are released during a process or activity. So no CO_{2 is} emitted either. The activities do not contribute to climate change.

The climate is defined as the average weather in a period of at least 30 years. The climate is influenced by many factors. These can be sudden events such as volcanic eruptions, where particles are blown into the air that block solar radiation. Other factors change the climate very slowly. An example of this is that the earth revolves around the sun in different distances. This determines the strength of the sun on Earth and thus influences our climate.

Human influence

When we talk about climate change today, it is almost always about human-caused global warming. Since the industrial revolution, humanity has caused high emissions of CO₂ and other greenhouse gases from the combustion of fossil fuels. These greenhouse gases retain heat by contributing to the greenhouse effect, which causes the atmosphere and the earth to heat up. Deforestation also makes a major contribution to this. At the moment, the average temperature on earth is one degree higher than before the industrial revolution. If we continue like this, the worst-case scenario could lead to an increase of up to 6 degrees in the year 2100. The climate has never changed as fast as it is changing today.

The consequences of climate change

Global warming has major consequences for both people and the environment. For example, ecosystems are beginning to shift and the question remains whether plants and animals can keep up with these rapidly changing conditions. This leads to the extinction of many species. Agricultural areas are also affected. As a result, there is less yield, which can lead to hunger and poverty. This can lead to large population movements; climate refugees.

Climate change also influences sea level. This is mainly due to the melting of land ice at the poles, but also due to the melting of glaciers on continents. As a result, more water enters the ocean. The melting of ice also enhances global warming. This is due to the disappearance of the albedo effect. The physical phenomenon that water expands at high temperatures can also contribute to rising sea levels. Scientists expect sea levels to rise as much as five feet this century. Some even take into account more than 4 meters. This has major consequences for inhabitants of islands. But also, for example, in cities and areas along coasts, such as the Netherlands.

Source: HERE Climate Bureau

The ladder assessment is the audit (conformity assessment activity) of a Ladder CI based on the CO₂ Performance Ladder standard. The COâ‚‚ Performance Ladder distinguishes between an initial, annual and reassessment.

The measure list is a non-exhaustive list of CO₂ reduction measures, broken down by common activities of organizations participating in the CO₂ Performance Ladder.

Socially responsible purchasing (MVI) means that, in addition to the price of the products, services or works, you also pay attention to the effects of purchasing on the environment and social aspects. Sustainable purchasing is also referred to as socially responsible purchasing (MVI). For more information, see www.pianoo.nl

The material emissions of an organization are such that they influence the assessments and assessments (including reduction targets) of decision-makers and stakeholders from and around the organization.

Multi-year agreement on energy efficiency 2001–2020.

More than 1,000 companies from 37 sectors are working on energy savings and CO₂ reduction for 2020. They do this in the context of the Long-Term Agreements on Energy Efficiency (MJA3 / MEE) and the Energy Agreement.

Companies participating in the LTA3 / MEE have obligations. For example, they have to work with energy savings, energy management, an energy efficiency plan and monitoring the results. Industry organizations draw up a long-term plan for the industry as a whole. RVO.nl supports companies with these savings objectives.

These are the projects of an organization in which the CO2 Performance Ladder played a role in the tender. It is irrelevant here whether or not the award advantage was decisive in obtaining the contract, or how the CO2 Performance Ladder was requested in the tender.

Scope 1, or direct emissions, are emissions emitted by installations owned or controlled by the organization, such as emissions from own gas use (eg gas boilers, combined heat and power plants and ovens) and emissions from our own fleet. See also Figure 5.1, the scope diagram in Handbook 3.1.

Scope 2, or indirect emissions, are emissions that arise from the generation of electricity, heat and cooling and steam in installations that are not owned by the company, but that are used by the organization. These are, for example, the emissions released when generating electricity in power stations.

Scope 3 emissions, or other indirect emissions, are emissions that result from the activities of the organization, but that arise from sources that are neither owned by the organization nor managed by the organization. Examples are emissions arising from the production of purchased materials (upstream) and the use of the work, project, service or delivery (downstream) offered/sold by the organization. Although business travel is a scope 3 emission category in accordance with the GHG protocol, these emissions for the CO₂ Performance Ladder must be included in the emission inventory for requirement 3.A.1 in Handbook 3.1.

When participating in a sector or chain initiative, organizations work together to reduce CO₂.

Indirect CO₂ emissions from purchased or acquired products and services. See in Handbook 3.1 Figure 5.1, the scope diagram.