EARTH works in accordance with the Dutch Archaeology Quality Standard and is authorised to implement all stages of an archaeological investigation.
The environment matters to EARTH and we search actively for ways to respect it. As the first archaeological research agency we have been certified with the Dutch CO2 performance ladder level 5. We see certification as an ongoing process in which we are continuously improving and innovating.
BRL SIKB 4000
EARTH has been granted an Excavation Permit since 2010 and has been using its own quality systems for years – to be able to optimally serve our customers. According to the new Heritage Act, it is legally required from July 2017 to be certified for conducting archaeological research and to comply with the Archaeology Assessment Guideline (BRL SIKB 4000 version 4.2). The requirements of the BRL 4000 are included in the existing quality system of EARTH with which EARTH has officially been certified for all protocols 4001, 4002, 4003 en 4004. This means that EARTH is ready for the future and will continue to deliver the same high quality of archaeological research.
The certificate has been issued by certification company SGS Intron (www.sgs.nl). Through various audits in the office and in the field, SGS Intron has determined that EARTH Integrated Archaeology meets the requirements of the assessment guideline.
You can find our most recent BRL SIKB certificate here, issued on 28-04-2025 and by SGS INTRON Certificatie B.V:
Certificaat ARC-001-5 (signed)
CO2 performance ladder
EARTH is actively reducing its CO2 emission. The CO2 performance ladder is a Dutch standard to stimulate companies to be CO2 responsible in their own operations and the execution of their projects. This entails energy reduction, efficient use of materials and increase use of sustainable energy sources. More information can be read on www.SKAO.nl
The CO2 performance ladder is our primary instrument to map our emission assessment, or Carbon footprint, to work towards reduction and to accomplish this actively with other parties working with us.
EARTH is per November 12 2024 certified at level 5 on the CO2 performance ladder. Here you can find our most recent certificate, issued by SGS Nederland B.V.:
CO2 prestatieladder certificaat niveau 5 EARTH 2024
Insight
It all starts with understanding the current CO2 emissions. We have developed an emission assessment sheet, which we use to measure our emission CO2-footprint and to provide yearly insights to you. You can also review our portfolio on https://www.co2-prestatieladder.nl/nl/deelnemers/EARTH_Integrated_Archaeology_B_V
Here is a link to a PDF with our CO2-footprint for 2024
D03a.Rapportage emissie inventaris EARTH_ 2024
The reports on our CO2-footprint for the year 2023 can be found here:
Voortgangsrapportage EARTH_2024
Voortgangsrapportage EARTH_eerste helft 2024
Reduction
Following on from our emission assessments we have defined a number of goals. With these we are actively aiming to reduce our footprint. EARTH wants to realise a reduction of 50% of CO2 emissions in the following years upto 2027. We plan to achieve this by increasing the use of electrical cars and improving the sustainability of our office in Amersfoort. You can find our reduction goals in the: Energy Management Actionplan 2025-2027.
Here is a link to a PDF with our energy actionplan 2025-2027
D04 Energie management actieplan EARTH niveau 5_juni 2025
EARTH has been certified for level 5 of the CO2 performance ladder. Therefore, we analyse the emissions from equipment we use with fieldwork, like excavators and mechanical drilling equipment. EARTH aims at reducing CO2 emissions from these machines for fieldwork by using innovative methods and techniques. Therefore EARTH has developed the initiative “innovative and sustainable archaeological research: insight without excavating”. You can read more about this initiative here:
D05a.Toelichting initiatief EARTH_2025
D06_D06a.Analyse scope 3 emissies EARTH niveau 5_juni 2025
Communication
On this page we want to regularly update you on our CO2 performance in order to provide insight in our CO2 footprint and our ambitions and goals on reducing the CO2 emission. We will publish our CO2 footprint performance internally and externally on a yearly basis.
Participation
EARTH is part of the industry initiative “De Duurzame Leverancier” [The Sustainable Supplier]. This is a platform for organisations that invest in sustainability. EARTH has made this choice because this initiative encompasses a broad range of industry in which soil investigation is a important field under which archaeological research can be categorised.
Here is a link to a PDF with our participation declaration 2024
Deelname EARTH Duurzame Leverancier 2024-2025
More information
Through the links below, you can read our footprints and energy management plans form the last years.
Energie management actieplan 2020
Energie management actieplan 2021
Energie management actieplan 2022
Energie management actieplan 2023
Energie management actieplan 2024
Footprint 2019
Footprint 2020
Footprint 2021
Footprint 2022
Footprint 2023