Hans Timmers, leader of green changes
The business case of the future is driven by circularity
Sustainable infrastructure is becoming increasingly important
Hans Timmers is a name that appears more and more frequently in conversations about sustainability and energy transition. As a driven professional at ECHT – Regie in Transitie, he works daily for a greener future. Hans shares his insights on trends, sustainable goals, raw materials, human capital, and collaboration. Additionally, he provides valuable advice for companies like A.Hak.
The new normal in sustainability
Hans notes that sustainability and circularity are quickly becoming the new normal in the construction and contracting sector. Projects now must not only meet the usual criteria such as scope, budget, and planning, but also strict sustainability standards.
This increases the transparency and traceability of materials and improves working conditions, as personnel no longer need to stand above noisy and steaming machines.
Stricter regulations from Brussels, such as the Green Deal, are accelerating this transition. Sustainable infrastructure is becoming increasingly important, and Europe generously supports the transition to a fossil-free economy, with wind and solar energy as key pillars. “Investments in this area bring about a lot of change. For example, if green hydrogen becomes cheaply available, companies are more likely to use it, making it more attractive. Currently, it’s less interesting to buy a hydrogen car due to the lack of filling stations. Only when many and larger machines can run on hydrogen does it become truly interesting.”
Heat is one of the clearest effects of climate change that impacts health. As the number of tropical days and warm nights increases, people are more likely to experience heat stress. Heat stress can be countered by making adjustments to an area, to and in homes, and in behavior.
Area: As a municipality, you can make neighborhoods more heat-resistant by greening them as much as possible.
Homes: Housing corporations and homeowners can combat heat with various green measures, such as green roofs and facades. But also by ensuring good ventilation and sun protection, for example. And in addition, human behavior is influential. For instance, stay indoors during the hottest part of the day.
Promoting sustainable chains
According to Hans, collaboration is essential to achieve sustainable goals. When companies like A.Hak join initiatives such as the Manifest Sustainable Procurement, it promotes a sustainable chain of suppliers and customers. Circularity plays a major role in this vision. By circularity, we mean reusing, repairing, and recycling materials to use them again. This way, we extend the lifespan of materials and reduce waste.
“By thinking circularly, companies can not only reduce their footprint but also save costs and stimulate innovations,” Hans explains. “Circularity will become increasingly important in tenders. The business case of the future is driven by circularity.”
The importance of security of supply, sustainability, and circularity of raw materials is significant. Transparency about materials is becoming increasingly important. The Netherlands (and the world) aims for 100% circularity by 2050, where materials are retained in the chain and less concrete is used in favor of wood, which stores CO2 and insulates better.
Hans Timmers: “The energy transition is a complex challenge, but with the right vision, collaboration, and commitment, we can achieve a sustainable future. It starts in the DNA of the company, and as a leader, you set the right example.”
No change without people
Hans emphasizes that sufficient and well-trained personnel remains necessary to realize the energy transition. This starts at the primary school level, where children need to be informed and excited about the sector. “We need to create an ecosystem where knowledge is shared between companies and educational institutions,” says Hans. The energy transition offers employment and the opportunity to make an impact, making it attractive to young people.
“Make sure that as a company, you’re at the forefront and show that you invest and are groundbreaking in the market. Quality and contributing to current affairs. That attracts talent,” according to Hans. “Then we also have a shift from the right to ownership to the right to use. We no longer buy CDs, we stream music. And we ask ourselves, which car do we really need?” The technicians also often love working with electric excavators, if only because it’s possible to have a conversation with each other without having to shout.
You can’t do it alone
Hans is convinced that no one can accelerate the energy transition alone. It requires collaboration between different parties. The government must also take part in directing this, and that takes time. But companies can already profile themselves as frontrunners and be sincere in their intentions. “Keep talking about your progress, it inspires others and attracts people and customers”.
Hans Timmers concludes that leadership starts at the top. “Leading by example, vision on sustainable business, and a connecting leadership style are essential. Just start, with common sense you’ll already get quite far, and you’ll slowly build awareness and enthusiasm in your company. Communicate sufficiently, be visible, and enjoy the journey!”
