Royal Van Zanten pursues environmental, social and governance excellence

Dutch-based flower and plant breeder and propagator Royal Van Zanten has published its first-ever Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) report as part of the company’s sustainability journey. It makes objectives clear and actions tangible and transparent, in line with Royal Van Zanten’s sustainability strategy.

Maarten Goos, CEO of Van Zanten Breeding says: “Sustainability is about caring for tomorrow. However, it is our actions today that make the difference. Our ESG reporting helps us to be accountable for those actions.”

Royal Van Zanten’s ambitions were defined by a group of employees around the globe and are overseen by a steering group that represents all employees. They want to reduce environmental impact and create a corporate culture that ensures equal opportunities for everyone and nurtures mutual appreciation.

The company contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals as defined by the United Nations and has defined goals that it can contribute to most.

Breeding is the company’s core business. Royal Van Zanten aims to develop varieties that support biodiversity and a healthy ecosystem. The second focus for breeding is to develop stress and disease tolerant varieties to that can be grown with low energy inputs.

Other sustainability objectives include a transition to 100 per cent green energy, biological crop protection, a circular water system and climate neutral operations. The company also wants to improve measurement systems for employee development, working conditions and reduce the living wage gap.

The 2022 report provides many examples and 10 concrete 2022 actions that contribute to the sustainability objectives. All actions are projects with relevance for employees and partners.

Discover the Royal Van Zanten CSR policy on the company’s website https://www.royalvanzanten.com/en/sustainabilty