StartDock aims for CO2-neutral locations

The carbon footprint of StartDock

Every company has a so-called "CO2 footprint," which represents the total CO2 that enters the atmosphere due to the operational activities of the company. To assess StartDock's CO2 footprint, we have installed sensors at all our locations. Using the gathered data, we've created a 'CO2 dashboard,' allowing a Docker to visualize how much CO2 their StartDock location generates and what portion can be attributed to them based on the area (m2) and/or the number of individuals. These measurements are updated in real-time and distinguish between CO2 emissions from heating, CO2 emissions from electricity consumption, and CO2 emissions from water usage. The following image illustrates how this CO2 Dashboard looks:

How do we see our own CO2 emissions?

At StartDock, we are situated in classically monumental buildings, which we either fully or partially lease from property owners. Monument conservation poses challenges, as aspects like solar panels and double glazing aren't universally permissible due to preserving the cityscape. As a result, our buildings unfortunately have poor insulation and are difficult to make self-sufficient in terms of electricity. Nevertheless, we are fortunate to have property owners who are eager to collaborate in the sustainability of our locations, and there are also many actions we can indeed undertake.

What can StartDock do about its own CO2 emissions?

There are various actions possible to reduce CO2 emissions, with sustainability measures being the primary focus. Sustainability actions include using LED lights instead of incandescent bulbs, using double glazing instead of single glazing, opting for green energy over conventional energy, and implementing water-saving methods. These actions result in CO2 emission reduction, although achieving zero emissions in the short term is not feasible. Therefore, Carbon offsetting is a second path we have chosen to take.

What is Carbon offsetting?

Compensation has a direct application, as we fund projects that remove CO2 from the atmosphere, offsetting our own emitted CO2. To monitor and trace the allocation of our funding, we have partnered with Cawa, a Docker at StartDock Keizersgracht. Our systems automatically communicate with Cawa every day, providing data on how much CO2 is emitted at a location through heating, electricity, and water, after which credits are purchased. These credits are invested in high-quality climate projects that remove CO2 from the atmosphere.

What are our next steps?

At StartDock, we believe that CO2 emission offsetting is an intermediate step, but it's a starting point. From this foundation, we continue working towards reducing CO2 emissions at our locations, with our initial goal being a 5% CO2 reduction by 2023. Actions we have set in motion include:

• Making all lighting and heating in our buildings 'smart'
• Engaging in discussions with our landlords (property owners) to explore feasible sustainability measures within the heritage sites
• Installing an airlock at our Herengracht location
• Installing water-saving devices on all our faucets and in all toilet cisterns at each location

Should you have questions or suggestions about our transition to carbon-neutral locations, we're all ears! Feel free to contact us at impact@startdock.nl.