On January 23, the New Year's event of MVO Nederland was organized in the Beurs van Berlage in Amsterdam: NE20. Laurens Groen, CEO of Milgro and also member of the Board of Partners of MVO Nederland, was one of the guest speakers at this largest corporate sustainability festival in the Netherlands. His mini lecture, entitled: 'Raw materials management is worth its weight in gold', addressed a question that is very topical for many companies. How do you organize your business model as sustainably as possible, while at the same time keeping your company financially healthy? His contribution thus dovetailed seamlessly with the central theme of NE20, namely 'Your share in the new economy'.
To make the new economy measurable, MVO Nederland introduced the New Economy Index (NEx) during NE20. This figure indicates the percentage of the Dutch Economy that is new each year. In other words, an economy that is circular, climate neutral and inclusive, also in the chain. The index is based on seven themes (New wealth, Real prices, Transparent chains, Inclusive entrepreneurship, Sustainable economy, Biodiversity and Circular Economy) from the New Business agenda of MVO Nederland. These together result in an average score. This is the first time the sustainability of the Dutch economy is expressed in a single number.
The Netherlands scores 12.1% on the NEx, making it one of the top in Europe, mainly due to a relatively large proportion of products made from recycled material. But to achieve a target of 20% by 2025, a great deal still needs to be done, says Maria van der Heijden, director of MVO Nederland.
The NEx survey was carried out by SEO Economic Research, in collaboration with Rabobank, KPMG, Milgro and IUCN. MVO Nederland will repeat the NEx survey annually.
