5 years of Stichting NMD!

Five questions for

Over the past five years we have achieved a great deal and much has changed. We have grown significantly and important steps have been taken to make circular construction a reality. This brings us closer to a sustainable living environment, for today and for the future.

Several people have been closely involved in these developments and in the growth of the Dutch Environmental Database Foundation. Over the next ten weeks we will share the perspectives of ten of these people through a short interview based on five fixed questions. In this way, we present ten perspectives on five years of the Dutch Environmental Database Foundation.

This week have five questions for Niels Ruijter:

1. How did you first come into contact with the Dutch Environmental Database Foundation?

From the very beginning, when the foundation was transformed from Construction Quality Foundation into the Dutch Environmental Database Foundation. Defining the objective was essential and created a solid connection with the various parties that remain involved to this day.

2. In your experience, what has changed the most in your work or in the sector over the past five years?

The rapid acceleration of digitalisation. This is also highly important for the Dutch Environmental Database. Digitalisation is an essential means of increasing efficiency.

3. What change or development would you still like to see?

Greater uniformity in the market when it comes to sustainability. We are only achieving limited results in terms of scaling up because there are so many different systems for working towards sustainability.

4. What are you proud to have achieved together with the Dutch Environmental Database Foundation?

The collaboration on the societal theme of sustainability. This is precisely where the strength of the Dutch Environmental Database Foundation lies. The parties involved also have a particular responsibility in this respect. They are well positioned to inform their organisation and/or stakeholder group about how the system works and the relevant context.

5. Where do you see the Dutch Environmental Database Foundation in five years?

The Dutch Environmental Database Foundation will still manage the system and the Assessment Methods for sustainability designated under building regulations. The data for this will be shared digitally, more efficiently than today, with parties identifying themselves and adhering to the rules for the use of environmental data.

The foundation will be recognised as a valuable organisation that places great importance on cooperation and development. Other EU Member States will look to the Dutch Environmental Database Foundation and its approach as an example.