Boskalis Sustainability Report 2020

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such are important for local communities. In our blue carbon collaboration we strive to maximize these climate, community and biodiversity benefits.

seagrasses. This type of coastal vegetation reduces the energy flow of the water and dampens waves and currents. As a result, any floating biomass or suspended sediment, with its associated carbon, is deposited onto the seabed where it is trapped under further layers of sediment, creating carbon storage, known as a ‘carbon sink’. The biomass of the vegetation itself (leaves, branches, stems) is added to the mix. If these ecosystems are disturbed however, this stored carbon is rapidly released into the atmosphere. Our first focus in this project has been to combine our own expertise and knowledge with that of Wetlands International to identify locations with significant blue carbon wetlands, explore climate change policies and start business case development. Next steps will be to join forces with specialists in carbon project development and finance. We will explore ways of conserving, restoring and constructing these ‘blue carbon wetlands’ with the potential to generate carbon credit, to offset Boskalis’ residual emissions and to explore the creation of carbon-balancing options for clients. Safeguarding, restoring and creating mangroves and other blue-carbon ecosystems has the added benefit of enhancing biodiversity both above and below the water. Mangroves are typical nurseries for fish and crustaceans, a plus for local fishing activities, and they are home to a rich diversity of birds and reptiles. Mangrove zones hold the potential for a nature-based solution to help counter the threat of rising sea-levels, storms and floods associated with climate change. Mangroves can also sustain employment, livelihoods and human wellbeing and as

TRENDS, REGULATIONS AND COLLABORATION We see collaboration with our clients and the sector as a whole as essential in keeping abreast of the latest knowledge and maintaining our position as industry leader in emission reduction. Working with other companies and organizations both inside and outside our sector is crucial to finding ways to mitigate the effects of climate change, as well as how to make them economically viable. Fuel types and technology – two of the main enablers in driving down emissions, are the topics of much of our industry collaboration. Our strategic partnership with GoodFuels/Wärtsilä led to our Boskalis on Bio program, which delivered a world first for us when our Willem van Oranje became the first dredging vessel in the world to operate on 100% bio-fuel oil, allowing a 90% carbon reduction. In addition to the collaborations mentioned earlier in this section, we are currently running a joint industry project with MARIN to develop tools to design engine rooms based on low- or zero-emission technology. Some of the main organizations we collaborate with on the topic of carbon reduction with the aim to deliver low-carbon solutions for our clients include: IMCA (International Marine Contractors Association), EuDa (European Dredging Association), MARIN (Maritime Research Institute Netherlands) and ERDA (Energy Research and Development Administration).

SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2020 – BOSKALIS