Netherlands pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai receives GSES Circular Footprint certificate as the first-rated country pavilion.

The Netherlands Country Pavilion at the World Expo in Dubai is the first country that received the GSES Circular Footprint® certificate and the RISE certification from the Expo organization and GSES System®.

The certificates were issued on the 3rd of November, the National Day of the Netherlands, from the World Expo organization and the GSES System to Minister Tom de Bruin of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. On the same day, the royal couple, King Willem Alexander and Queen Maxima visited the Netherlands pavilion.

The Netherlands Pavilion is about uniting energy, water and food and stimulating the circular economy. Therefore, they built a circular construction of utilized sheet piles for its construction.

“I am very proud that the Netherlands is the first country to receive the RISE certification and the GSES Circular Footprint certification. The Dutch pavilion brings together water, energy and food, and stimulates the circular economy. In that light, it is very special that the Circular Footprint of the pavilion is demonstrably 95%”, said Peter Potman, Deputy Director-General for Foreign Economic Relations in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and one of the leaders of the trade mission to Dubai.

Circular Footprint: The GSES Circular Footprint certificate measures the circular footprint of country pavilions based on Ellen McArthur MCI, Cradle to Cradle, and BS 8001, resulting in the GSES Circular Footprint Certification. The Circular Footprint of The Netherlands Pavilion is 95%. 90% of the total construction of the pavilion is reusable after the use on the Expo site, and the pavilion used 100% reused (and locally sourced) materials for its construction. That makes a Circular Footprint score of 95% in total. The Kingdom of The Netherlands and DutchDubai organization made sure they have a recycling plan in place to be able to reuse all sheet piles after the World Expo 2020 in Dubai.

“The Netherlands Pavilion is a huge Circular Project that shows that circular design can be done. A circular building, its construction, and recycling can be planned before creating a building. Let this be an example for the building and construction sector across the world. Our GSES System platform is for all stakeholders, countries, organizations, products and supply chains. Besides issuing certificates to the Netherlands country pavilion, we also issued the GSES System certificate to Hoogendoorn Growth Management during the trade reception on the 2nd of November. This is a company in horticultural automation, which not only talks about sustainability but also puts it into practice in the MENA Region. Koppert Biological Systems, ABN AMRO Bank, Univé Insurances, etc. also use the GSES System and are verified. There is a huge potential for sustainable growth globally. Together with the Expo organization we show that it can be measured and verified accordingly. In this way, we set an example for the rest of the world”, says Kelly Ruigrok, CEO of GSES System, Data for Good, and the National Sustainability Institute from The Netherlands.

Using the GSES rating cards, the software platform and standards, Expo 2020 was able to verify its suppliers, international participants, and exhibitors to meet its high sustainability standards.

“We have adopted a wide-ranging approach to achieve our site-wide sustainability goals, underscoring our bold ambitions with grand action to integrate sustainability into all of our experiences and operations. Our collaboration with GSES System is emblematic of these efforts, supported by the sustainability commitments of our stakeholders as we work together to host one of the most sustainable World Expos in history, and create a meaningful, measurable impact beyond the site and our 182-day run”, said Dina Storey, Director Sustainability Operations Expo 2020 Dubai.

“We are delighted that the Dutch company – GSES System has developed such sophisticated measurement techniques regarding sustainable impact that help contribute to these important goals”, said H.E. Lody Embrechts, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the UAE.

About GSES System: The Global Sustainable Enterprise System® (GSES System® / GSES®) is a recognized platform that helps you rate, verify, and certify your sustainability performance on the process, supply chain, and product level independently. No more confusion due to an overload of complex information and regulations. GSES System easily, and cost- effectively, aligns over 550 ecolabels and sustainability certificates and uses worldwide accepted standards to holistically measure sustainability performance. The GSES System Platform covers their own standards, the Meta Standard and also – SASB standards, Taxonomy, Landscaping standard, Diverse range of Product standards, Diverse range of ISO standards – all can be integrated in sustainable procurement or investment processes. For more information, GSES can be reached at: info@gses-system.com.

About the Netherlands pavilion: The Netherlands pavilion, located at the Sustainability District at Expo 2020 Dubai, will be open to visitors starting from 1st October 2021 to 31st March 2022. The pavilion has a giant green food cone known as the ‘Biotope’ as the center of attraction. The vertical farm is covered with almost 9300 edible plants and irrigated with the harvested water from the air using innovative Dutch technologies. With these high-tech advancements and more in offering, the pavilion aims to be a true platform for sustainability and circularity initiatives thereby, enabling visitors to experience the Netherlands’ expertise in uniting water, energy and food. Dutch businesses, knowledge institutions and civil society organizations have specific knowledge and proficiency in these fields and can therefore play a key role in finding solutions that contribute to a more sustainable planet. Possessing a naturally controlled climate, the pavilion’s structure is constructed using locally sourced materials that will be recycled after the Expo period, minimizing its ecological footprint. shabana.unni@minbuza.nl, for more information.

About Expo 2020 Dubai: From 1 October 2021 to 31 March 2022, Expo 2020 Dubai welcomes visitors from every corner of the globe to join the making of a new world, as it brings together the planet in one place to reimagine tomorrow. With the purpose of ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’, Expo 2020 will be the world’s most impactful global incubator for new ideas, catalysing an exchange of new perspectives and inspiring action to deliver real-life solutions to real-world challenges· Expo 2020 will be the biggest cultural gathering in the world, presenting a visually striking and emotionally inspiring 182 days, as more than 200 participants – including nations, multilateral organisations, businesses, and educational institutions, as well as millions of visitors – create the largest and most diverse World Expo ever. Expo 2020’s sub themes of Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability will inspire visitors to preserve and protect our planet, explore new frontiers and build a better future for everyone. For six months, Expo 2020 will be a must-visit family destination, with thousands of events, amazing exploratory experiences, and free entry for children up to age 18. Expo is committed to building a more equitable and just world for everyone, while keeping visitors safe by following the latest guidance of the world’s leading medical, science and health experts.