Sustainability

Sustainability as a core value at Greenport Venlo

We think it’s important to maximize sustainability at Greenport Venlo, as this is the key to offering companies and employees healthy and pleasant work locations in an attractive, sustainably designed environment. That’s why we provide ample space for flora and fauna, create new natural areas, and ensure that companies are integrated into the landscape as much as possible. That same green spatial design also provides recreational opportunities for people living in the region.

Sustainable solutions

Greenport Venlo provides companies as well as employees with healthy, pleasant, and highly sustainable work locations.
For example, the Trade Port Noord business park placed fourth in the ranking of business parks that are minimizing their energy consumption. The study (data from 2021) looked at whether Dutch business parks meet the climate goals set out in the Paris Agreement. Of the 3,217 business parks surveyed, 522 meet the ‘Paris Proof’ standards.

Aside from 400 hectares of business park, we’re also creating 400 hectares of new nature and landscape. Using the tools of green spaces, water, and solar and wind energy, we want to deliver on sustainability, biodiversity, climate adaptation, health, and recreational opportunities. In addition, the beautiful, green design of the surroundings raises property values.

Watch the short video on the right or read (and see) below how we do this.

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Solar roofs

At the time of writing, almost all distribution centres in the area have solar roofs. In figures, this equated to over 100 hectares of roof area covered with solar panels at the end of 2021. The amount of energy generated by these solar roofs is comparable to the electricity consumption of nearly 25,000 households. On average, companies consume about a quarter of the generated energy themselves and feed the rest back into the grid. That’s enough for over 18,700 households. And as it happens, the Municipality of Horst aan de Maas has 18,240 households!

Wind Farm

Windunie (a cooperative of energy producers) started building the Greenport Venlo wind farm in 2021. Expected to be operational in 2022, the project comprises eight wind turbines with a combined generation capacity to power about 30,000 households.

Greenchoice and Windunie are actively looking to get the local community involved and are working together with the energy cooperative Samenstroom (Venlo) for this purpose. We’ve set up a liveability fund that provides about half a million euros for the surrounding villages and neighbourhoods to set up projects aimed at promoting liveability and vitality in the area. Members of Samenstroom can also have a share in the wind farm’s proceeds.

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45 Greenport Venlo bedrijventerrein bedrijfskavel natuur duurzaamheid bedrijventerrein flora fauna A73 kl.jpg

Waterstorage and infiltration

Climate adaptation measures are central to the development of Greenport Venlo. About 30% of the total area is undeveloped, and rainwater is collected as much as possible – that’s good for the groundwater table and ensures that businesses stay dry. Large water features have been created at various locations between the companies and along Greenportlane, so that the rainwater that falls on the roofs of the company buildings is diverted back into the area. You’ll see swans, ducks, and other waterfowl paddling around here in the sunshine while the cormorants fish for their next meal.

Elevated bridge

VidaXL has installed a 125-metre-long elevated bridge to transport goods between two distributions centres, thereby reducing road transport.

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Embankments

The topsoil removed when a plot is prepared for building is used to create embankments that partially obscure the view of the companies. They also form an ecological connecting zone between the various areas. The embankments are sown with colourful flower mixtures that are essential for a healthy insect and bee population. Sheep grazing is used to manage the embankments and spread the flower seeds further afield into the area. And, of course, it looks fantastic!

Greenport Bikeway

Leave your car at home and get cycling! The Greenport Bikeway is an express cycle route that lets you cycle to your final destination safely, quickly, and comfortably, without any unnecessary turns. The landscaped paths are wide, paved, and clearly signposted.
As the Greenport Bikeway also provides a safe cycle route trough Trade Port Noord, it’s proving very popular with commuting cyclists.

The route starts at Venlo railway station and crosses through beautiful surroundings as it leads toward Blerick railway station. After this station, the express cycle route splits into a southern branch and northern branch, passing through and around the Tradeports toward Horst-Sevenum railway station. The southern part of the route is about 12 km; the northern part stretches about 15 km.

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Rail terminal

With eight 900-hundred-metre tracks, Trade Port Noord’s terminal has a maximum capacity of 800,000 TEU per year and can load and unload 12 trains per day. As one single train has the same capacity as 56 lorries, new tracks and rail terminals in the region will help to decrease congestion on the roads and reduce CO₂ emissions.

Gas-free buildings

For a few years now, new companies setting up in the area have had to build gas-free. In response, some have chosen to use solar energy – this reduces CO₂ emissions and helps to create a healthier and more sustainable world.

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Green business parks

Climate adaptation is a major part of area development. We’re helping to tackle climate change by planting lots of green areas on our business parks, in order to make them more climate-resilient. This strategy also makes the parks more biodiverse and attractive – whether that’s for customers, employees, or plants and animals.

And there are more benefits to a combined approach.
More green areas combined with climate-resilient adaptations will improve the area’s look and feel and lead to greater operational reliability. It also sometimes provides direct financial benefits, like higher property values.