Energy and emissions
Basis of reporting | energy and emissions
Reporting period
Van Oord energy and emissions performance data reporting covers the period from 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2025.
Scope and consolidation
Energy and emissions performance data is consolidated using the financial control approach. The accounts include consolidated data from Van Oord N.V. and all subsidiaries under its financial control. As in previous years, during 2025 there were no financial leases (outward or inward) that affected our reporting boundaries and emissions allocations between scope 1 and scope 3. Fuel and other relevant consumption data of Van Oord-owned vessels is directly reported into a corporate database.
Other included data concerns owned land-based equipment and support functions worldwide such as yards, offices and various forms of mobility.
The allocation of greenhouse gas emissions to scopes is based on the financial control approach in accordance with the GHG Protocol: direct emissions from owned entities/vessels (scope 1), Indirect emissions from purchased electricity (scope 2) and indirect value chain emissions (upstream scope 3). An exception is made for lease-cars which are, while not financially owned, allocated under scope 1 in line with national reporting practices.
Recalculations: Improvements in calculation methods, conversion factors, or detection of errors trigger recalculation of the base year, and subsequent years, if the cumulative effect is ≥5% of the base year value.
Verification: All indicators marked with a * are independently verified with limited assurance.
Changes affecting energy and emissions performance data
During 2025, changes were prepared with regards to energy and emissions performance data. Where relevant, the changes mentioned in the following paragraphs are applied to this annual report’s whole dataset in order to improve transparency, consistency and completeness.
Changes to conversion factors: Due to the availability of more accurate supplier-specific primary data, as well as updated activity conversion factors for 2024, category 1 and category 4 of scope 3 include revised numbers. All indicators marked with a ** are revised in line with these changes.
New indicators/presentation structure: The indicator set was adjusted to include SBTi target indicators. Moreover, the presentation structure was changed to show the indicators for a period of 3 years, starting with our established base year 2023.
Methodologies and sources
1 Energy consumption
1.1 Fuel energy consumption
Fuel energy consumption is calculated from measured fuel consumption of owned assets (internal data sources) multiplied with the Net Calorific Value (NCV) of each fuel. NCVs for most marine fuels were taken from IMO (MEPC 308(73)). For LNG and biofuels, NCVs were taken from ISO 23306 and JEC’s Well-to-Wake study from 2020 respectively. Residual/distillate fuels, natural gas and LNG are fossil fuels. Renewable fuels comprise different types of biofuels made from waste streams (biodiesel, liquefied biomethane, biomethanol) and also cover the potential future use of e-fuels such as green hydrogen and its derivatives. Biofuels are purchased with ISCC certification ensuring that feedstocks are sustainable.
1.2 Electricity consumption / generation
Purchased electricity represent gross grid imports. Unspecified purchased electricity is not covered by any market instruments such as Guarantees of Origin (GOs) and International Renewable Energy Certificates (I-RECs). Renewable purchased electricity entails electricity covered by market instruments. Gross self-generated renewable electricity concerns the total production of all owned solar PV installations on yards and offices. A portion of self-generated electricity is exported to the grid with the balance consumed directly on site (i.e. consumption of self-generated renewable electricity).
1.3 Total energy consumption
Total energy consumption combines fuel energy consumption and electricity consumption. Total fossil energy consumption is the sum of energy consumption from fossil fuels and unspecified electricity (with the latter conservatively assumed to be of fossil origin). Total renewable energy consumption is the sum of energy consumption from renewable fuel and purchased or self-generated renewable electricity.
2 Greenhouse gas emissions
2.1 Scope 1
Scope 1 includes carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O). Emissions are calculated from measured fuel consumption (internal data sources) of owned assets and lease-cars multiplied by emission factors. Emission factors apply the latest Global Warming Potential values from IPCC’s AR6 report for a 100-year time horizon. Resulting values are expressed as carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e). CO2 conversion factors for most marine fuels were taken from IMO (MEPC 308(73)). CH4 and N2O factors are based on IMO’s 4th Greenhouse gas study 2020 for all major fuels. Methane slip values for LNG were taken from engine specific sources. For carbon-based renewable fuels, CO2 emissions are accounted for at zero in scope 1 while CH4 and N2O are included. Biogenic/non-fossil CO2 is reported separately (see 2.5).
2.2 Scope 2
Emissions are calculated from gauged or billed electricity consumption of Van Oord’s offices and yards globally multiplied by market-based and location-based emission factors.
Market-based: All electricity consumption covered by Guarantees of Origin (GOs) or International Renewable Energy Certificates (I-RECs) that meet minimum quality criteria is accounted for with an emission factor of zero. The same applies for self-generated renewable electricity. For unspecified electricity, the residual mix or the location-based emission factors are used. The most recent factors are sourced from the Association of Issuing Bodies for EU+UK locations and relevant country authorities for remaining locations.
Location-based: The most recent location-based emission factors were sourced from the Association of Issuing Bodies for EU+UK locations (production mix) and relevant country authorities for remaining locations.
2.3 Scope 3 upstream
Out of the 8 upstream scope 3 categories defined in the GHG Protocol, 6 categories are identified as applicable for Van Oord’s business and supporting activities. These are calculated as follows:
Cat. 1: Purchased goods and services: calculated using a hybrid method with the following order of preference for data sources / methods according to availability: 1) Supplier-specific absolute emissions reported to Van Oord; 2) Supplier-specific emission factors multiplied by activity data; 3) Financial spend multiplied by a supplier-specific CO2e-intensity of revenue; 4) Financial spend multiplied by the global mean or median CO2e-intensity of revenue per economic activity sourced from CDP’s most recent emission factor database. For this year, mostly method 4 was used and, to a lesser extent, methods 1, 2 and 3. Each approach covers cradle-to-gate emissions. Financial spend data is sourced from an internal database.
Cat. 2: Capital goods: based on the Light Ship Weight of invested or acquired vessels multiplied by the latest emission factor for crude steel from the World Steel Association. Each vessel’s emissions are reported in the year of first deployment.
Cat. 3: Fuel- and energy-related activities: based on fuel consumption data (same as for scope 1) multiplied by well-to-tank factors per fuel type. Factors are from ICCT’s Update: accounting for well-to-wake carbon dioxide equivalent emissions in maritime transportation climate policies (August 2021) and JEC’s Well-to-Wake study from 2020).
Cat. 4: Upstream transport and distribution: equal to cat. 1.
Cat. 6: Business travel: covers both air travel and the use of private cars for business travel. Air travel emissions are calculated using distance and cabin type data multiplied by emission factors from UK’s BEIS / DEFRA. Emissions from private cars are based on expense declarations for business travel multiplied with emission factors from the government of the Netherlands (www.CO2emissiefactoren.nl).
Cat. 7: Employee commuting: covers all modes of transport used by employees. Calculated using distance and travel mode data multiplied by emission factors from the government of the Netherlands (www.CO2emissiefactoren.nl).
Our insights into scope 3 data are constantly evolving, and we strive to provide more accurate and complete data going forward. Downstream scope 3 categories were assessed in line with the GHG Protocol, based on applicability, emission significance and Van Oord’s ability to influence outcomes. Several downstream categories are not applicable to our business model as a marine contractor, while category 15 (Investments) is only marginally applicable and insignificant. Categories 11 and 12 can be applicable when projects are considered as products and may involve significant emissions during operation or decommissioning. These emissions, however, arise from assets owned and operated by our clients after project completion. As Van Oord does not control energy use, operational practices or end-of-life decisions, our influence over such downstream emissions is limited, which is why these categories are not included in our scope 3 inventory.
2.4 Total greenhouse gas emissions
Total market-based (location-based) emissions are the sum of scope 1, market-based (location-based) scope 2 and scope 3 emissions.
2.5 Biogenic / non-fossil carbon dioxide (CO2)
Biogenic CO2 emissions from biofuel combustion are reported separately from the scopes. Figures are calculated based on total biofuel consumption and the carbon content of these fuels assuming complete combustion. The carbon content was sourced from JEC’s Well-to-Wake study 2020.
3 Air pollutant emissions
3.1 Nitrogen oxides (NOx)
NOx emissions are calculated using fuel type and fuel consumption data combined with vessel-specific NOx emission factors. The latter are sourced from each vessel’s Engine International Air Pollution Prevention Certificates.
3.2 Sulphur oxides (SOx) emissions
SOx emissions are calculated using fuel consumption data and measured long-term average values of sulphur content of the relevant fuel types bunkered by Van Oord. Final conversion from sulphur to SOx uses a calculation method from IMO’s 4th Greenhouse gas study 2020.
3.3 Carbon monoxide (CO)
CO emissions are calculated using fuel consumption data and emission factors from IMO’s 4th Greenhouse gas study 2020.
3.4 Non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOC)
NMVOC emissions are calculated using fuel consumption data and emission factors from IMO’s 4th Greenhouse gas study 2020.
3.5 Particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) and black carbon (BC)
PM emissions are calculated using fuel consumption data and formulae / emission factors from IMO’s 4th Greenhouse gas study 2020. The formulae take into account sulphur levels which are sourced from measured long-term average values of sulphur content of relevant fuel types bunkered by Van Oord (also see 3.2). Emissions of black carbon (BC) are calculated using fuel consumption data and emission factors from ICCT, which are also used in IMO’s 4th Greenhouse gas study 2020. PM2.5 and BC are sub-parts of PM10, meaning that they partially overlap.
4 Target KPIs (SBTi)
4.1 Emissions under fuel target (scope 1 & scope 3 category 3)
Near-term target statement: 'Van Oord N.V. commits to reducing absolute well-to-wake scope 1 and 3 GHG emissions from offshore operations by 35% by 2030 from a 2023 base year.' The target boundary includes biogenic land-related emissions and removals from bioenergy feedstocks. Performance is calculated as the sum of emissions in scope 1 and scope 3 cat. 3. The 2025 target value sits on an S-curve towards the 35% near-term target.
4.2 Renewable electricity share under electricity target (scope 2)
Near-term target statement: 'Van Oord N.V. also commits to increasing active annual sourcing of renewable electricity from 66% in 2023 to 80% by 2025 and 100% by 2030. Performance is calculated as the sum of renewable purchased electricity and consumption of self-generated renewable electricity as the numerator divided by total electricity consumption as the denominator multiplied by 100%.
4.3 Emissions under supply chain target (non-fuel upstream scope 3)
Near-term target statement: 'Van Oord N.V. further commits to reducing absolute scope 3 GHG emissions from purchased goods and services, capital goods, upstream transportation and distribution, business travel and employee commuting by 25% by 2030 from a 2023 base year.' Performance is calculated as the sum of non-fuel-related scope 3 categories and applying the following coverage percentages per category: 67% of emissions in cat. 1 – Purchased goods and services, cat. 2 – Capital Goods and cat. 4 – Upstream transport and distribution, and 100% of emissions in cat. 6 – Business travel and cat 7 – Employee commuting.
