Victor Buyck Achieves the highest level on the CO2 performance ladder. Victor Buyck has always been concerned about the environment and the potential emissions from our works. In order to minimise the effects of any emissions we have always met and surpassed the requirements of the local Environmental Charter ‘Oost‐
Vlaanderen’ and ISO 14001. In addition to these programmes Victor Buyck have been looking for a way to measure and more importantly reduce our CO2 emissions. The CO2 performance ladder, initially developed by ProRail (www.prorail.nl) and more recently controlled by SKAO (www.SKAO.nl), provides the tools to enable us to do this. Victor Buyck set itself the objective of reducing its carbon emissions by 2% each year and since 2010 when we began participating in the CO2 performance ladder we have been successful in achieving this objective. The CO2 performance ladder was developed by ProRail to stimulate companies tendering for work to become more aware of the amount of their CO2 emissions and to take action during its business operations and projects to reduce the quantity and thereby potential impact on the environment. In order to encourage strong participation in the scheme Prorail and others may offer an incentive of up to 10% discount of the value of tenders, dependent on the level the tendering company had achieved in reducing emissions which is represented by the level shown on the CO2 ladder. Victor Buyck has recently attained the highest level possible on the CO2 ladder and we have achieved this, by amongst other methods, working on long term emission reduction programmes with our supply chain. As a result more than half of VBSC supply chain have worked with us and have effectively measured their carbon footprint to help us achieve level 5 .We recognise that this has taken a huge effort and significant commitment from our supply chain and would take the opportunity to thank them for their contribution. We also appreciate the commitment and efforts of our employees in helping to achieve level 5 and are pleased to be able to state that VBSC remain the only steel construction company that studies and evaluates the environmental impact of the projects with which we are involved. In conclusion it should be stated that we will remain committed to further reducing emissions wherever the opportunity exists.