What sustainability means to us

Sustainability is about meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Vopak is working to help future generations meet their needs and contribute to a more sustainable economy by developing infrastructure that will support the introduction of essential products for the future. 

We are mindful of the potential impact of our business activities on people’s safety, health, and well-being, as well as our impact on the environment. Through our care for people, planet, and profit, we aim to create value for all our stakeholders, including customers, shareholders, employees, authorities, local communities, and society at large. 

society

Vopak supports the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We specifically embrace the five SDGs where, together with our stakeholders, we can create the most value for stakeholders and society as a whole. In line with these SDGs, we believe we can have the most impact by supporting the energy and feedstock transitions, providing a safe working environment, helping avoid air, water, and soil pollution, and building resilient, sustainable infrastructure in ports around the world. 

Sustainable Development Goals Descriptions

SDG 7

Along with SDG 13, we help customers reduce their environmental and carbon footprint and contribute to the energy and feedstocks transition. Concurrently, we implement measures to reduce our own environmental and carbon footprint, including CO2.

SDG 13

Along with SDG 7, we help customers reduce their environmental and carbon footprint and contribute to the energy and feedstocks transition. Concurrently, we implement measures to reduce our own environmental and carbon footprint, including CO2.

SDG 8

Safety is our first and foremost priority. This includes ensuring a safe and secure working environment for all people working at and for Vopak and caring for the communities in which we operate

SDG 9

We develop and manage reliable, sustainable terminal infrastructure in global ports, embracing eco-friendly technologies. We continually invest in sustainable practices, explore new technologies, and pursue digital transformation.

SDG 12

We work hard to reduce any negative impact of our activities on people’s health and well-being, on the environment and on climate, in particular by reducing emissions to air, water and soil and managing waste and wastewater. Underlying these efforts is our ambition to preserve biodiversity.

Our sustainability roadmap

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Sustainability roadmap

Our sustainability roadmap aligns our purpose with the United Nations SDGs and stakeholder priorities, featuring environmental, social, and governance (ESG) targets. It also sets out various actions that relate to the key sustainability topics that matter most to our stakeholders and where we can have the highest impact on people, the planet, and profit. The roadmap also provides a framework to implement the strategic transformation of our portfolio toward cleaner conventional products and zero and low-carbon energies and feedstocks, and to integrate sustainability into our global processes and investment decisions. In addition, the roadmap ensures clear actions and priorities, integrating them into our annual budget cycles, business agendas, and daily operations. 

Double Materiality Assessment  

Vopak has adopted a comprehensive approach to evaluate and disclose its environmental, social, and governance impacts. This approach addresses both impact materiality and financial materiality: reporting on how sustainability issues affect Vopak from the outside, but also how our activities impact society and the environment from the inside. 

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Double Materiality Matrix

 

External benchmarks

Vopak values participation in various internationally recognized ESG benchmarks. These benchmarks help us understand more about our performance and trigger reflection and action on sustainability topics. Below are the external benchmarks Vopak is currently involved in. Please refer to our annual report for our performance ratings. 

Financial Index

Celebrating diversity

At Vopak, we believe that every individual should be treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive work culture where everyone feels welcome and can contribute. A workplace where diversity is celebrated! 

diversity
WeConnect

Vopak WeConnect Foundation

Vopak encourages its employees to take an active part in their local communities. Through the Vopak WeConnect Foundation, employees work on projects to help young people, alongside community groups and NGOs. Set up in 2016, Vopak WeConnect has a clear mission: to open up professional horizons for young people, to increase their ‘job readiness’ and to inspire them to work with others across cultures, languages and social backgrounds.