These are the winners of the 2024 Zuidas Sustainability Award
After months of suspense, the wait was finally over! On 14 November it was time to present the winners of the 2024 Zuidas Sustainability Award. Six projects were recognised for their contributions to making Zuidas more sustainable, alongside one Public Choice Award-winner.
The ceremony took place at the Robert Walters neuroscientific office in Tower Ten of WTC Amsterdam. A panel of expert judges, presided over by Yvette Watson (CEO of The 2B Collective and PHI Factory), had selected six winners in as many categories.
Amstelring – Duurzaam voor elkaar
(‘Sustainability sorted together’): Amstelring created a sustainability team to work on green landscaping at care facilities. The eldercare organisation is setting a new standard in the sector by partnering with education institutions and promoting green initiatives. This project demonstrates that sustainability and care can go hand in hand.
Miele X – Digital Clean-up
The Miele X-team held a Digital Clean-up aimed at reducing the company’s digital footprint. Employees spent one hour cleaning up their OneDrives and work inboxes. Organised in association with Bye Bye Plastic the Belgian Institute for Sustainable IT, the event created awareness around the impact of digital technology.
Dynamo – Vraag-Maar-Raak Lunch
(‘Ask-Me-Anything Lunch’): This lunch event brings the local residential and business communities together. Residents with special needs are invited to have lunch at companies in Zuidas, including DLA Piper, ACE+, Miele X and Freshfields. The gatherings strengthen ties between businesses and locals, and the project is helping to foster inclusion and engagement in Zuidas.
Amsterdam Engineering Office and City of Amsterdam –Impact via onderhoud
(‘Impactful maintenance’): The Amsterdam Engineering Office and City of Amsterdam teamed up on maintenance projects to green Wielingenstraat and Diepenbrockstraat. The result is 1,400 m² in additional planting, along with 16 new trees and improved planting locations. All of the project’s sustainability measures are funded out of existing maintenance budgets.
DLA Piper – New office
DLA Piper’s new office premises were designed for energy efficiency and sustainability. The building shell was reused and retrofitted to deliver high energy savings and comfort. The design further integrates the use of sustainable materials and employee wellness.
Leafcloud – Écht groene cloud
(‘Genuine green cloud’): Leafcloud is making digital working more sustainable by siting servers in locations with demand for heat. The servers’ residual heat is used to heat water and so aid CO2 reductions. This has enabled Leafcloud to build a public cloud relying wholly on existing buildings – no new data centres needed. Their model makes digital infrastructure genuinely green.
More than 1,900 people cast their votes for the Public Choice Award, with Boatique coming out as the winner. This project gives old service boats a new lease of life in Amsterdam’s canals.
In addition to the awards ceremony, the event also featured inspiring presentations and interviews with guests including Robert Walters CEO Jose Bokhorst, Amsterdam Zuid district councillor Rocco Piers (whose portfolio includes sustainability), Stadshout owner Marijke Hogers, Hello Zuidas director Olivier Otten, Eline Kik of Green Business Club Zuidas and RAI executive chef Rientz Mulder.
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The judges also gave honourable mentions to several organisations and initiatives. According to panel chair Yvette Watson, “These are things that all organisations really ought to be doing”.
Crowne Plaza (Saving water from bathrooms, Planting trees for a greener stay, Zero food waste)
Use/space
Hogan Lovells
Aquablu (Water system)
Dynamo (Food waste solution for hotels)
EMA (Digital business cards)
WTC (The Giving Tree)
Dynamo (Ask-Me-Anything Lunch)
Bundel.it
D&B The Facility Group (Charge & Ride)
Roetz Bikes
Community garden
For more on the Zuidas Sustainability Award and this year’s winners, go to: www.zuidasduurzaam.nl
