SDGs
The SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) are 17 goals formulated by the United Nations to build a better world by 2030. NS contributes to these goals and has included them in its sustainability strategy. Our focus is on our contribution to solving the climate crisis (particularly by avoiding and reducing CO2 emissions) and on how we can increase our positive social impact. Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time, but also an issue where NS can make a real difference for future generations. Our approach is based on five key focus areas: zero emissions, circular and green enterprise, by everyone and for everyone. NS contributes to solutions for several other major challenges in the Netherlands. We need to make choices not only to reduce CO2 emissions, but also to solve the nitrogen deposition issue, facilitate housing construction, address social inequality and increase the liveability of our cities.
In 2022, together with our stakeholders, we identified the SDGs of particular relevance to them that could benefit from additional future contributions by NS. This resulted in a list of nine SDGs that are relevant for our organisation. These did not change in 2023. We will reassess the SDGs with our stakeholders in 2024, including as part of the CSRD dialogue.
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NS strategy |
Contributes to these sub-goals of the SDGs |
Impact on SDG sub-goal is measured by this indicator |
How will NS measure its impact? |
This is how NS knows its impact on SDG: |
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Zero-emission Enterprise |
7.2 By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix |
7.2.1. Renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption |
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% Matching power consumption with green generation |
7, 9 and 13** |
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Number of MWh generated on NS land/buildings |
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The number of m3 gas consumption |
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7.3 By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency. |
7.3.1. Energy intensity measured in terms of primary energy and GDP |
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Energy consumption per passenger-kilometre |
7, 9 and 13** |
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9.4 By 2030 upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable. |
9.4.1. CO2 emissions per unit of value added |
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CO2 emissions per passenger kilometre |
7, 9 and 13** |
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Circular Enterprise |
12.2 By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources |
12.2.1. Material footprint, material footprint per capita, and material footprint per GDP |
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% circular inflow |
12 |
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12.2.2. Domestic material consumption, domestic material consumption per capita/GDP. |
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% circular inflow |
12 |
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12.4. By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle. |
12.4.2. Hazardous waste generated per capita and proportion of hazardous waste treated |
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Kg of hazardous waste generated |
12 |
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12.5. By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse |
12.5.1. National recycling rate, tonnes of material recycled |
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% circular outflow |
12, 13** |
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Green Enterprise |
12.2 By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources |
12.1.1. Sustainable consumption and production |
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% vegetable supply |
12 |
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12.2.1. Material footprint, material footprint per capita, and material footprint per GDP |
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Indicator under development* |
12 |
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By 2030, halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses |
12.3.1. Global food loss index |
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Indicator under development* |
12, 13** |
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15.5 Significant action to reduce the loss of biodiversity |
15.5.1. Red List Index |
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Indicator under development* |
15 |
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For & by everyone |
11.2 Provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all by 2030. |
11.2.1. Proportion of population that has convenient access to public transport, by sex, age and persons with disabilities |
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% main rail network stations with travel assistance |
11 |
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Independently accessible rolling stock: % of sprinter fleet |
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11.7 By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces, in particular for women and children, older persons and persons with disabilities |
11.7.2. Proportion of persons victim of physical or sexual harassment, by sex, age, disability status and place of occurrence. |
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% main rail network stations with travel assistance |
11 |
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5.1 End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere |
5.1.1. Non-discrimination framework/code |
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% share of women in senior management positions |
5 |
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5.1.2. Women by level of responsibility |
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Pay gap monitoring |
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5.4 Recognize and value unpaid care and domestic work through the provision of public services, infrastructure and social protection policies and the promotion of shared responsibility within the household and the family as nationally appropriate |
5.4.1. Parental leave options for all employees |
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Parental leave |
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5.5 Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life |
5.5.1. Women by level of responsibility |
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% share of women in senior management positions |
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5.5.2. Non-discrimination framework/code |
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Pay gap monitoring |
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8.5 By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value |
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# sustainable jobs |
8 |
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8.6 By 2020, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training |
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8.8 Protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers, including migrant workers, in particular women migrants, and those in precarious employment |
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10.2 By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status |
10.2.1. Job opportunities for highly educated refugees |
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# work experience placements UAF |
10 |
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10.2.2. Women by level of responsibility |
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% share of women in senior management positions |
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10.2 By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status |
10.2.3. Proportion of employees with multicultural background |
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NWA interventions |
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10.3 Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies and action in this regard |
10.3.1. Non-discrimination framework/code |
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Sustainable Mobility 
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9.1. Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, including regional and trans-border infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all |
9.1.2. Passenger and freight volumes, by mode of transport |
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We annually measure the impact of NS on society by means of the True Value Model |
7,9,11,12 en 13**. |
CSRD
In 2023, we started implementing the new CSRD directive. This means that in 2026, NS’s annual report for 2025 will have to be fully compliant with the CSRD requirements.