CO2 performance ladder municipality of Opsterland

Climate change, disruptions in global trade, and the depletion of fossil fuels make it necessary for us to quickly transition to other forms of energy. We must use less energy and find new, more sustainable ways to generate and share energy. This will ensure a reliable energy supply and keep our community livable.    

The Municipality of Opsterland uses the CO₂ Performance Ladder. This is a step-by-step plan that helps companies and government agencies reduce their CO₂ emissions.   

CO2 footprint

CO₂ (carbon dioxide) is a gas released when fuels such as gasoline and natural gas are burned. CO₂ can also be released during electricity generation, depending on the source. Too much CO₂ in the air contributes to global warming.  

A carbon footprint is the total amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases released as a result of the actions of an individual or an organization. Examples include travel, energy consumption, and food. It shows how much of an impact you have on the climate: the smaller the footprint, the less you contribute to global warming. That’s what we’re aiming for!  

Over the past year, we have worked to reduce our CO₂ footprint. Compared to 2023, our CO₂ emissionshave decreasedby21%.   

The tables below show CO₂ emissions by source in kilograms for 2023, 2024, and 2025. These emissions include those of Caparis, as we hold a 25% stake in Caparis.  

In 2025, we succeeded in further reducing CO₂ emissions from a number of sources, but total CO₂ emissions increased. Emissions are higher because we opened a new reception center for Ukrainian refugees at the end of 2024. This facility accounts for 5.7% of total emissions. Additionally, the method for calculating CO₂ emissions from HVO100 was revised in 2025. HVO100 is a fuel made from waste and vegetable oils (such as cooking oil) that replaces diesel and results in lower CO₂ emissions. Due to the revised calculation method, the organization’s emissions are higher. Nevertheless, the CO₂ emissions from HVO100 are still much lower than those from diesel. Finally, the harsh winter of 2025 led to higher emissions.   

If these conditions had remained unchanged from 2024, we would have expected to reduce our CO₂ emissions even further.  

The municipality aims toreduce CO₂ emissions by 56%by 2027compared to 2023 and remains committed to this goal.   

2023 
Natural gas consumption472,5
Fleet fuel consumption299,7
Business transportation96,0
Electricity consumption property86,9
Fuel consumption operating assets12,7
Electricity consumption fleet8,8
Biomass1,1
Total977,6
2024 
Natural gas consumption523,0
Fleet fuel consumption105,8
Business transportation86,5
Electricity consumption property0,0
Fuel consumption operating assets11,1
Electricity consumption fleet14,2
Biomass1,1
Total741,7
2025 
Natural gas consumption  555,2  
Fleet fuel consumption  101,9  
Business transportation  87,2  
Electricity consumption property  0,0  
Fuel consumption operating assets  9,0  
Electricity consumption fleet  22,7  
Biomass  1,1  
Total  777,1  

Objective and main measures from the action plan

Opsterland municipality wants to emit 59% lessCO2 in 2027 compared to 2023. The most important measures from our plan of action are shown in the table below. 

Reduction Measure

Expected reduction

Implementation

Preserving M.F.C. De Wier~6%CO2 reductionTeam Real Estate
Municipality of Opsterland - 100% replacement of diesel for HVO vehicle fleet.~19%CO2 reductionTeam Implementation
Municipality of Opsterland - Purchasing green gas for heating property.~20%CO2 reductionTeam Real Estate

Participation

We participate in collaborations where companies, governments and organizations share new ideas and developments. Examples include:

Frisian Energy Table (FET).

At the Frisian Energy Table (FET) we work together on a sustainable and future-proof energy system for Fryslân. We look beyond our own borders and work together with other authorities, social organizations, grid managers and the mienskip. Through this network full of knowledge and ambition, together we find smart solutions for clean energy in Fryslân.

At the Frisian Energy Table, we tackle various tasks, such as energy infrastructure and heat transition. We also work on other new developments, always with a focus on CO2 reduction. We put our shoulders to the wheel together, as we have done before in Fryslân.

Homepage | Energy table (frieseenergietafel.nl)

Association Circular Friesland

We want to make our province the most circular region by 2025. Fryslân has big plans and is working hard towards this goal. This means: not only talking, but especially doing. We are all working on this, both individually and together, because together we are stronger. That is what the association is for.

Homepage - Association Circular Friesland

The Heat Transition Vision

The goal of the Dutch government is to stop emitting harmful greenhouse gases such asCO2 by 2050. By using less natural gas and eventually making all buildings natural gas-free, we reduceCO2 emissions. In this way we prevent further global warming.

That's why we're going to do things differently over the next 30 years. Now we use natural gas to heat buildings, cook and shower. In the next few years, we'll be switching to sustainable sources of heat. We call this change the heat transition.

The heat transition is not done overnight. There is a lot involved. Good preparation is therefore important. By thinking about this now, we will be better prepared later.

The municipality of Opsterland is working with the municipalities of Weststellingwerf and Ooststellingwerf on a Heat Transition Vision. By doing this together, we can learn from each other's knowledge and experience.

Homepage | Transition Vision Heat OWO municipalities (ireporting.nl)

What can you do?

Wondering what you yourself as a business owner or resident can do to save energy and thereby release lessCO2?

Opsterland MunicipalityCO2 Certificate

The municipality of Opsterland is certified at level 3. You can download the certificate using the button below.

Download certificate (PDF)

SKAO (Stichting Klimaatvriendelijk Aanbesteden & Ondernemen).

TheCO2 Performance Ladder is the sustainability instrument of the Netherlands that helps companies and governments to reduceCO2 and costs. Within operations, in projects and in the chain. The Ladder is used as aCO2 management system and as a procurement instrument.

Stichting Klimaatvriendelijk Aanbesteden & Ondernemen (SKAO) is the independent owner and manager of theCO2 Performance Ladder and responsible for the use and further development of the certification scheme. 

Learn more about SKAO

You can find more information about certification on the SKAO website. 

Learn more

More information & contact

energie@opsterland.nl