Sustainability and impact
It’s not a product but a service—which makes Business, Reimagined more sustainable by default . But that’s not enough for me.
100% vegan catering during the events
Did you know that a plant-based diet emits up to 60% less greenhouse gas? The emissions for meats, eggs and dairy are very high, so plant-based products emit 10 to 50x less greenhouse gases.
Not only for the effect on the environment but also from an ethical perspective, I choose to make all the food at the live events vegan. And to take good inventory in advance of who likes and likes what, so that there is as little food waste as possible. It goes without saying that I do the shopping with a reusable shopping bag and put the sandwiches in a reusable bag.
Give only products and services that are truly needed
Sustainability, of course, is not just about choosing ethical materials. Recycle is #7 in the 7 R's of sustainability, while redesign and reduce are the first steps. It's tempting to stuff the whole process with inspirational books, fancy pens and all sorts of fun perks. But I don't want to do that. That's why I've pushed the number of products to a minimum, so that we only get what we really need.
The same goes for the services. Not millions of extra sessions, but services that really help.
Sustainable gifts and office supplies
I don't want to spoil too much because I actually like the gifts as surprises! So to keep it general: I looked for a sustainable alternative in materials for all products the coachees receive or use during the course. As little paper as possible and as many recycled materials as possible for the products.
For Christmas gifts, for example, in previous years I chose vegan chocolates from a local chocolatier, an air plant on recycled stone or card with growing paper. Of course, a bottle of wine would have been fine too, but now it fit through the mailbox, it was something that could really be used and I went for local production as much as possible.
Business travel as much as possible by bicycle, public transport or walking
The average Dutchman could save some 2,500 to 3,000 CO2 per year if they got rid of the car. That's a whole year of electricity consumption of a Dutch household on gray electricity! By not having a car, I am actively choosing to reduce my CO2 impact.
When there is no other way, I use a shared car or carpool with others. As a true Dutchman, I have 3 bicycles, which I like to use, or borrow when I'm not using them.
Engagement and donations for impact projects
I believe in the principle of "pay it forward. That is why I am committed to projects in the areas of sustainability, social impact, education and health. For example, I volunteer for the Dutch Association for Veganism, Surfgirls, Environmental Defense and Vegetables without Borders.
Every month I donate about €40 to charities, including WWF, Greenpeace, Stichting Duinbehoud and Urgenda. Several times a year, I also provide microcredits via crowdfunding to initiatives such as THRIVE coffee, Wallien and The Good Roll.
Printed materials printed sustainably
Áf something has to be printed, I do it sustainably. Think of a Christmas card or a poster. I choose recycled paper from responsibly managed forests, water-based ink without toxins, efficient printing machines and green electricity. If I need to send something for coachees, I do it in an envelope I already have lying around, from a package I once ordered myself.
Business flights CO2 offset
For business, I actually almost never fly. At most, I combine it with a private trip to make it more efficient. I prefer to try to travel by bus or train, even if it takes several days.
If there really is no other way, I choose the plane. I am well aware that the aviation sector is responsible for 2-3% of global CO2 emissions. I compensate the CO2 impact of the flights I make through Regreener. This captures or prevents CO2 impact elsewhere, for example by planting new forests.
CO2 offset via Ecologi
Ever since 2021, I have been offsetting the impact I make as an entrepreneur through Ecologi. The money I contribute monthly is invested in high-impact climate projects. Think reforestation, anti-carbon projects or projects for biodiversity. I choose for Ecologi because I know that my money will go to the right place.
Sustainable bank that plants trees
Painfully, I said goodbye to ASN Bank, a very sustainable bank. Now I'm with Bunq. Although Bunq is less sustainable at its core, the bank still does a lot of good: with every €100 I spend, a tree is planted (reforestation), I get cashback on sustainable travel, and my membership money is also invested in stabilizing coastlines, among other things. Bunq wants to have net zero emissions by 2050 and is working hard to achieve this with all sorts of collaborations and reporting. Of course we do not invest in fossil fuels, weapons or tobacco.
With the high savings interest I receive, I can invest again in projects I believe in. Think of the charities or crowdfunding I mentioned above.
CO2 neutral hosting
Websites have a significant carbon footprint. That's why I choose to have as few pages as possible and load everything efficiently so that no energy is wasted. I also chose a Dutch web party, where the websites are hosted 100% green, also in the Netherlands.
Office with used furniture
Pretty much everything in my house comes from Marktplaats, but of course this post is just about the coaching program. In my home office, just about everything is secondhand: the office chair, desk, aroma diffuser, teapot, printer, pens, desk lamp, and monitors. Of course, we use renewable energy throughout the house, including in my office.
Impact driven pension fund
Ever since I started thinking about retirement (highly recommended!), I've been with Bright Pension. Bright invests sustainably and responsibly, focusing on a maximum pension rather than maximum profit. The environment, social aspects and good governance are taken into account. Bright only invests in funds whose investments promote or encourage positive environmental and/or social characteristics as much as possible.
Collaborations with sustainable parties
I choose my partners carefully. For example, I have been working for years with the web agency Baas & Baas, who also feel strongly about sustainability. But I am also a speaker for MadNes, a festival where sustainability also plays an important role. Or as a model for sustainable bikini brand Ufulu, sustainable jewelry brand Laguna Treasures or sustainable sports brand Boldwill.
