12 March 2024
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The genesis
In 2020, the duo Michel van Lieshout and Ilmar Woldring founded the independent Green Economy Limburg Foundation (SGEL). They saw that more and more SMEs were struggling to take up sustainable business, while the government was attaching increasing importance to climate and environmental issues. In addition to citizens, businesses were also expected to take on a greater role in achieving climate goals.
Programs
Charter Energy Transition SME
Van Lieshout and Woldring joined forces with regional and local governments, higher education and business associations to develop a program focused on energy transition. With support from the Province of Limburg and the three regions in Limburg, including North Limburg, the Charter Energy Transition SME program began in July 2021.
VerduurzaamJeMKB
A recent development within SGEL is the approach of unburdening companies one hundred percent. Information, advice, guidance, installation and aftercare. At the end of 2023, the foundation was awarded the concession from 8 participating South Limburg municipalities through a European tender. From this, the new program 'VerduurzaamJeMKB' flowed, which will be implemented in the coming years together with alliance partners.
By offering companies a total package combined with a one-stop shop function and process monitoring, the energy task is made more accessible. Not only the technical aspects, but also the financial and possible legal-planological aspects (when granting permits) are included.
Sustainability of business parks
.In addition to unburdening individual companies, SGEL also focuses on making business parks more sustainable. Cooperation between companies offers additional opportunities to successfully tackle the energy challenge. By mapping a business park, it is possible to quickly see what opportunities exist for energy savings and for the (additional) generation of sustainable energy.
.Sustainable business goes further
Business challenges do not stop at energy, of course. Entrepreneurs are therefore encouraged by SGEL to think about sustainable business in a broader sense. For example: How can I buy sustainably, reduce my waste, continue to develop employees or make my business model more sustainable?
.The pressure from society and customer demands are only increasing when it comes to sustainability. If, as a company, you are not serious about this, it will ultimately cost you contracts and thus turnover.
With a sustainable profile you can distinguish yourself as a company. At the same time, it makes you more attractive on the job market. For example, as many as two in three younger employees cite "sustainability" as an important factor in choosing an employer.
Interface transitions
All four transitions interlock for SGEL. Think about the circular production of new renewable energy technologies. Or how the real-time measurement of energy consumption is directly related to digitalization, as also in the development of virtual energy hubs to (temporarily) alleviate grid congestion.
By actively pursuing a green(er) economy through sustainable business, we simultaneously create a healthier world that is more balanced. For us, but certainly also for the generations to come!
