Thank you Karen de Lathouder for joining us for this inspiring conversation. We hope this dialogue sparks new ideas and fuels others on their own Leaders of Progress Journey.
LEADERS OF PROGRESS SPOTLIGHT #2
KAREN DE LATHOUDER
Chief Operating Officer Assets, Eneco
She drives innovation by making
corporate social responsibility the engine of progress.
"For me, a Leader of Progress is someone who acts now"
In your own words, what does it mean to be a Leader of Progress?
"In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, true leadership goes beyond meeting regulatory requirements. It is about using influence to drive meaningful, lasting change.
A Leader of Progress uses their influence to embed sustainability and social responsibility into core strategy - not as costs, but as drivers of long-term value. This means integrating respect for human rights, labour standards, and the environment into the business model and culture.
In essence: Leaders of Progress don’t wait for perfect condition. They act now, knowing that inaction poses the greater risk."
Eneco's Biggest Sustainability Move: The One Planet Plan
What is the most important change Eneco has made to truly embed sustainability into its overall strategy?
"At Eneco, everything we do is guided by our One Planet Plan, which sets a clear ambition: to become climate neutral by 2035. Embedding this plan into our strategy and governance has been a powerful catalyst for progress.
While we were already accelerating our investments in sustainable energy, the One Planet Plan elevated sustainability to the heart of our organization shaping our culture, decision-making, and operational processes. It has also helped us build momentum in other critical areas, such as preserving and enhancing biodiversity, ensuring that our transition to renewable energy goes hand in hand with protecting the natural world."
Ecowende, an off-shore windfarm that really drives progress
Can you name one specific project where you made real progress possible?
"Ecowende is a pioneering initiative focused on building the most ecological offshore wind farm in the Netherlands. Its goal is to develop wind energy in harmony with nature, aiming for a net-positive impact on biodiversity and minimal disruption to wildlife.
It has a strong ecological component, with many innovations aimed at helping wildlife live around the wind farm such as a wider corridor for birds to fly through, more clearance between the blades and the sea level, using techniques to minimize the sound disturbance while drilling the monopolies in the seabed, and the creation of artificial reefs, made from old fruit trees, to enhance marine habitat."
Looking 25 years ahead...
"I hope that we can proudly say our legacy is a stronger, more sustainable world. That we played a pivotal role in accelerating the energy transition, shifting the momentum toward renewable solutions, and empowering households and businesses to embrace sustainable alternatives. We will achieved this by transforming our business model to be climate-resilient, always keeping the long-term impact in focus.
Along the way, we nurtured a new generation of leaders shaped by the Eneco mindset: visionary, responsible, and driven by purpose. And in doing so, we proved that business can be a powerful force for good, not just in driving innovation, but in creating lasting value for people and the planet."
My personal advice to companies struggling to prioritize CSR ...
"Make a Plan! You need to anchor sustainable goals into your strategy and framework, and embed them into key processes with measurable KPIs. That is how sustainability becomes part of the organizational mindset.
Running a commercially successful business is easier than running a sustainable one. It takes courage and conviction to believe that sustainability will benefit you in the long run. Without that belief deeply embedded, short-term commercial pressures will inevitably take the lead again.
Sustainability does not work if it is just a gimmick. Your customers and employees will see right through it. It only works when it is a core belief of the organization. In my experience, sustainability reduces risk, attracts capital, retains talent, and secures your company’s long-term license to operate."
ABOUT THE
LEADERS OF PROGRESS
Interview Series
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the United Nations Global Compact. To honor this milestone, we are launching an interview series spotlighting the change makers behind our participating companies in the Netherlands: the Leaders of Progress. By sharing their stories, we hope to inspire bold leadership and spark meaningful change.
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