How DPG Media hit its ESG deadlines in 2 months

“As a media company in the center of society, we want to take our responsibility in decreasing our environmental footprint, as society expects us to,” says Paul Vereijken, ESG Manager at DPG Media. “Carbon footprint software is crucial. Like the saying ‘what gets measured, gets managed.’ Without carbon accounting, we can’t reduce our footprint.”

“Carbon footprint software is crucial. Like the saying ‘what gets measured, gets managed.’ Without carbon accounting, we can’t reduce our footprint.”

Paul Vereijken, ESG Manager, DPG Media

The pressure to move quickly

So when the group management approved a new system to manage DPG Media’s carbon accounting, there was no time to waste.

“Our management said yes. Now we needed a system, and we needed it fast,” Paul explains.

With ambitious emissions targets on the horizon, Paul and his team needed a platform that could onboard quickly and scale with them over time.

“Position Green told us their standard onboarding takes two months. We basically said, ‘Unless you can move faster, we’ll look elsewhere.’ It was going to be fast with you or not at all.”

Position Green rose to the challenge. DPG Media launched using the platform’s standard configuration, then began evolving it to fit their specific needs.

“We needed to get started fast, so we launched with Position Green’s standard configuration. Now that we understand the platform, we’re customizing it to fit our business, and that kind of flexibility is exactly what we needed.”

In just two months, they were already delivering results internally. “After two months, we presented our updated CO₂e-footprint to ESG-leading Executive Committee members. We were able to hit all of our deadlines, and that is, for a significant part, thanks to the ease of working with the platform and the sublime onboarding by Position Green’s onboarding team.”

From spreadsheets to strategic oversight

Before implementing Position Green, DPG Media’s carbon data was managed in spreadsheets and sent to an external consultant. It was a “black box” process with little transparency or internal ownership. There was also a risk of errors, versioning issues, and time lost to manual handling.

“Without carbon accounting software, we would be lost in a bunch of spreadsheets, risking errors and glitchy control processes,” says Paul. “Using Position Green makes data collection and CO₂e reporting easier and more reliable.”

Now, with all data centralized in Position Green, the team has taken back ownership and built a clearer view of their carbon impact.

“We can finally see what’s going on and start mapping out how we’re actually going to hit our targets.”

Clear goals, ambitious plans

DPG Media is aiming for a 63% emissions reduction by 2035 compared to their 2023 baseline, aligned with the Science Based Targets initiative and the 1.5°C pathway.

“Our goal is to reduce our carbon footprint by 63% by 2035 compared to 2023. With Position Green’s Carbon Accounting solution, we’re working toward a future where emissions are tracked efficiently and where the business itself owns and reports its own data.”

The long-term vision is one of decentralization and accountability.

“Our ambition is that all the data comes directly from our business units. That my team just reviews what’s already entered. No manual data work. That’s the end goal. And I’m confident that Position Green’s platform and team have the capabilities to make this happen.”

Top 3 tips from the front lines

Reflecting on his journey, Paul shares three practical tips for companies starting their carbon accounting:

• Know your Greenhouse Gas Protocol: Position Green will guide you, but it’s helpful if you understand the terminology and structure from day one.
• Start simple: Don’t try to build the perfect system up front. Get a basic version running, then iterate.
• Make it enjoyable: This is new for almost every company. Don’t make it a burden. Make it a journey. You’re making an impact.

Explore how your company can turn ESG into lasting value

Position Green’s ESG platform is built to help forward-thinking companies like DPG Media turn sustainability ambition into long-term business value. Whether you’re just getting started or ready to scale your impact, our platform is designed to support your journey with clarity, confidence and control.