Sustainability
We have always been thinking in generations
Our family business was founded more than 85 years ago. From the beginning, we have been concerned with sustainability topics. Farmers have always thought in generations. The same applies to us. As a globally successful agricultural company, we take responsibility – for those who are dear to our hearts. For our families, especially our children. For our colleagues, suppliers and customers. For animals and the environment. The family owning Big Dutchman has been living in harmony with nature and society for generations. Transferring this harmony to their company has been their and our aspiration all along.
Worldwide commitment
This is our ESG team
Big Dutchman colleagues from around the world engage in ESG activities. They come from Vechta and Myanmar. From Langförden and Turkey. From Visbek and China. They come from different departments of the company. From Engineering, from HR, from Sales. The ESG team plans workshops to develop strategies for sustainable economic growth.
ESG management
These are our sustainability topics
For our first ESG report, we spoke to colleagues on all seven continents. We used software to evaluate and assess data. In this manner, we are preparing for the statutory obligations on non-financial reporting as required by the Corporate Social Responsibility Directive (CSRD), which we must fulfil from the 2025/2026 financial year. We see this as an opportunity to develop further. An opportunity to find new business models, to reduce our carbon footprint – and to prove ourselves as a modern employer.
Sustainability strategy
Improving every day
In 2058, there will be 10 billion people on the planet. Feeding them without overburdening nature is one of the greatest tasks we are facing as a global society. Based on this thinking, our ESG team completed a materiality assessment and developed our “BIG” sustainability strategy. How do we optimise animal welfare? What are possible protein alternatives? How can our suppliers produce their products while still conserving resources? And: How do we want to collaborate?
Environmental
50 % of our electricity is a gift from the sun
Regarding the environmental aspect of ESG, we at Big Dutchman focus primarily on our carbon dioxide emissions, i.e. sustainability goals 12 (“Responsible consumption and production”) and 13 (“Climate action”). To reduce our emissions, we will be generating half the power required at our headquarters in Calveslage by ourselves in 2025.
Social
We support volunteer work
We are, on average, 41 years old, and come from 48 nations. We live and love diversity. We perform modern and mobile work. And after work, we are family caregivers, sing in a choir or work as volunteer firefighters. As an employer, we support all of these activities.
Governance
Clear rules, strict controls
Here in the Südoldenburg region, a handshake still counts. But a globally operating company needs more, of course. Our high standards of conduct have ensured our customers’ trust for decades. And rightly so. Our compliance management system has been in effect since 2016. It includes a code of conduct for employees and suppliers.
