Leading ornamentals breeder offers a model for sustainability

"This report demonstrates our mission to be a leading global ornamental horticulture company," says Hugo Noordhoek Hegt, CEO of Dümmen Orange. "We know that this cannot be done without careful consideration of our environmental footprint, and our impact on our employees and on those with whom we work closely."

The report zooms-in on Dümmen Orange's three sustainability focus areas: environment, people, and technology.

"Sustainability considerations are a factor in our decision-making process. Our purpose is to make a difference now and to see relevant change for the future, not only as a company ourselves, but also across the entire industry," Noordhoek Hegt says. "In the area of environment, for instance, we decided to focus on minimizing chemical crop protection, recycling and reducing waste, managing water impact, and embracing carbon neutral horticulture."

Dümmen Orange actively works toward reducing its carbon footprint and ultimately becoming carbon neutral.

"Our goal is to reduce our carbon footprint by 50% in 2030," Noordhoek Hegt says. "Knowing our current position is the first step in achieving this goal. That's why we mapped out our carbon footprint at a number of production sites in the Netherlands, Kenya, and Guatemala. We have identified our environmental impact, from production on site to the airport in the destination country. The next step is to reduce the footprint where possible, for example by working more closely with suppliers or by making different and better choices, such as shortening transport routes and cutting energy consumption."

Taking Care of Employees and Communities

Dümmen Orange's social priorities are employee engagement, health and safety, and human rights.

"For us, sustainability means that we are taking care of our employees and our communities, developing them, and also doing the right thing to ensure their happiness and success," says Ellen Lakeman, Chief Human Resources Officer.

As a Board Member of the International Responsible Business Conduct agreement (IRBC), Dümmen Orange has been involved in a pilot on living wages. Although the pilot was conducted only in Kenya, Uganda, and Ethiopia, the company has taken this opportunity to evaluate the living wages at all farm locations around the world.

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Source: Greenhouse Grower