The Willy Naessens Group stands for sustainable enterprise, including in the field of swimming pool construction. We are already fully committed to net zero emissions, as proven by the climate neutral certificate from Climate Neutral Group.
Willy Naessens Swimming Pools is the largest pool builder in Belgium. Producing and installing indoor and outdoor swimming pools has an undeniable impact on our environment. As the country's best-known builder, we therefore like to set a good example.
In cooperation with the Willy Naessens Group, of which we are part, we try to keep that footprint as limited as possible.
After a thorough analysis of our CO2 emissions, the Willy Naessens Group is fully committed to actively reducing these emissions. This initiative extends to all companies within the BUILD sector, including Willy Naessens Swimming Pools, with the motto: "If we do something, we do it completely". The Group works closely with its own Research & Development department and suppliers to find more sustainable solutions. You can find all the details and certificates here.
'We reduce and offset our CO2 emissions as much as possible, on our way to net zero,' says Chief Sustainability Officer Kris Vanrenterghem.
Be sure to watch the full interview with Kris on sustainability within our company.
According to CSO Kris Vanrenterghem, sustainability has always been the core philosophy, with a special focus on social responsibility as staff are considered the company's capital. This approach is also applied to the ecological and energy-saving aspects of the company, with employees being actively involved. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, our sustainability efforts have been intensified through several workshops where employees can share their ideas and from which more than 400 possible measures have emerged. About 100 of these measures are being implemented gradually, combining top-down and bottom-up approaches.
These efforts were initiated after a thorough analysis of the group's carbon footprint, leading to active reduction measures for all companies in the construction sector. The group works with internal and external experts to implement more sustainable practices, such as capturing and injecting CO2 into concrete panels, optimising concrete mixtures and recycling concrete materials. It is also investing in solar energy, heat pumps and other green energy sources, with the aim of eventually switching to fully renewable energy.
Kris Van Renterghem - Chief Sustainable Officer
In the search for an international partner for certification around our net-zero emissions, we quickly came across Climate Neutral Group.
We offset our remaining carbon emissions through certified climate projects, including biogas projects, reforestation initiatives, wind energy production and water treatment projects. These projects were chosen for their relevance to the company's operations and their social impact, such as providing renewable energy to local communities.
We chose to partner with Climate Neutral Group for their net zero emissions certification. The Climate Neutral Certified label, audited by Preferred by Nature, is an internationally recognised certificate that demonstrates that the company meets rigorous standards for climate neutrality. This certificate requires annual CO2 reduction targets and emphasises compliance with sustainable practices. Colleague Vanrenterghem stresses that although the road to climate neutrality is challenging, it is worth taking action and working with trusted partners such as Climate Neutral Group.
