CO2 Performance Ladder Certificate

The organization holds a certificate at a stated level (1–5) of the CO2 Performance Ladder, meaning an accredited body audited its carbon accounting, reduction targets, transparency, and participation against that level's requirements; levels 4–5 extend the scope to value-chain emissions.

• That the organization's emissions are low in absolute terms — the ladder certifies management maturity and reduction effort, not an emissions level.
• Anything about specific products or materials.
• Equivalence across levels — level 3 covers the organization's own emissions, while only levels 4–5 address the value chain.
• Relevance outside its procurement context — it is primarily a Dutch and Belgian public-procurement scheme.

• Has Corporate ESG Assessment or Disclosure →

  high risk

Minimum authority

Third-party verified

Should state

Ladder Level · Certificate Number · Certification Body · Valid Until

Date sensitivity

Expiry matters — check the certificate is current.

Always state the level — the ladder's five levels differ sharply in scope and ambition.

Certificates require annual audits; check currency with the certification body or SKAO's register.

Its main function is tender award advantage in Dutch and Belgian public procurement, which explains its appearance on company materials.