Pim’s vision on sustainability at Conclusion

Sustainability in its broadest sense

As Sustainability Manager for Conclusion Benelux, Pim focuses on Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) issues. In other words: sustainability in its broadest sense, from environmental and social matters to good governance. “For us, sustainability is more than reporting and compliance,” he explains. “It’s up to me and my team to ensure that sustainable thinking doesn’t stop at policy, but is reflected in our services and the choices we make together with clients. Among other things, by encouraging projects with social impact.”

This means ensuring reliable, transparent ESG data and reporting to make sustainability and ethical performance measurable. And embedding sustainability structurally into strategy, objectives and decision-making.

Sustainable IT: making the invisible footprint visible

At Conclusion, we primarily work in IT. But where can sustainability gains be made in IT? Pim puts it like this: “Everyone’s familiar with ‘flight shame’, but the impact of IT is invisible to many. IT is essential in solving societal challenges, yet it’s responsible for a growing global CO₂ footprint—comparable to sectors that do have a clear reputation in this area. Many people aren’t aware of this.”

Especially with the rise of AI, energy demand—and therefore CO₂ emissions—is increasing rapidly. At Conclusion, this awareness is widespread, which is why we focus on technologies that deliver social value, such as reducing CO₂ emissions, optimising energy use, enabling circular chains and supporting data-driven decision-making. Examples include predictive maintenance via digital twins and energy management systems in public transport, ESG insights and reporting aimed at waste reduction, smart healthcare systems to ease pressure in the care sector, and AI applications to support biodiversity restoration.

Sustainability in our DNA

At Conclusion, sustainability isn’t confined to a single team—it’s embedded throughout the organisation, Pim explains. “Sustainability is reflected in our objectives and even in our bonuses. Sustainable KPIs are part of our reward structure. We also make agreements with suppliers and property managers to ensure lasting progress across the entire chain. In short: sustainability is carved in stone here—it’s become inseparable from the organisation. If I were to leave tomorrow, I know the topic would remain top of mind.”

Projects with social and ecological impact

According to Pim, Conclusion’s sustainability strategy takes shape through a wide range of initiatives, from social inclusion to greening business operations. Each project demonstrates how technological expertise and social engagement go hand in hand:

• Inclusion: training for refugees
  “To offer people with a migration background a promising future in the Netherlands, Conclusion combines Dutch language lessons (up to level B2) with IT training and an employment contract. Participants not only learn the language, but also develop relevant digital skills that allow them to start working with us.”
  
  
• Sustainable mobility
  “We’re working towards a fully electric fleet by 2028 and actively encourage travel by public transport, bicycle or on foot. New employees notice it straight away: petrol and diesel cars are no longer an option.”
  
  
• Biodiversity & AI
  “With the Conclusion Impact Forest in the Bergen op Zoom region - home to 29,000 newly planted trees- we’re transforming former farmland into new nature. What makes this project special is the use of technology: through AI monitoring, we’re working with partners to explore how biodiversity can be better mapped and stimulated.”

What’s next on the agenda

The sustainability agenda is constantly evolving. Pim is working with Conclusion’s sister companies in Germany, Portugal and Spain to further embed sustainable thinking and increase impact on a European scale. At the same time, efforts are underway to automate ESG data collection, eliminating manual processes and enabling the company to act more swiftly on sustainable improvements. Pim: “We’re also taking new steps across the chain. For example, there’s a pilot underway to replace smartphones with the Fairphone—a device produced fairly, with a transparent supply chain, and built to last longer. And we’re tightening our overall sustainable procurement policy.”

“Real impact happens across the entire chain, when everyone gets involved.”

“We’re also raising awareness within our companies by asking employees in the satisfaction survey how sustainable they think Conclusion is. That used to be a ‘six out of ten’, but the score is steadily rising thanks to the visible progress being made.”

Personal: sustainable living on a small scale

Pim also consciously chooses a sustainable lifestyle in his personal life. He and his family often travel by train during holidays. “It’s a completely different way of travelling,” he says. “Not only greener, but also calmer and more mindful. You see so much more along the way.” His family also frequently buys second-hand clothing and prefers to repair broken items rather than replace them. “It’s not like our house looks like a charity shop,” Pim laughs, “but we do try to make the most of what’s within reach.”

For Pim, sustainability is mainly about awareness and leading by example—especially for his three daughters. “I’m not one to wag my finger, but if you show that things can be done differently, it becomes contagious. You don’t have to be perfect to make a difference—you just have to start and let the impact of your choices guide you.”