News item | 05-04-2022 | 10:00
Dutch industry is extremely important for our economy. It also forms the basis of many products that we use every day: from foodstuffs to medicines and from cars to furniture. The industry also consumes a lot of energy and emits a lot of CO2. The Netherlands has great ambitions in the field of climate change. This also has consequences for making industry more sustainable, which has become even more important due to the corona crisis and the war in Ukraine. Disruption of the supply of energy, raw materials and products can lead to vulnerabilities. That is why we want to be less dependent for our energy supply. Industry must emit more than 20 Mton less CO2 per year, so that emissions are reduced by 60% compared to 1990, which is 5 – 5.9 Mton more than was agreed in the Climate Agreement.
The cabinet is committed to making industry more sustainable on four lines. For example, the CO2 tax will be tightened and there will be a CO2 minimum price for industry. In addition, existing subsidies for making industry and SMEs more sustainable will be intensified and expanded. Binding customized agreements will be made with the 20 largest industrial emitters of greenhouse gases. We make reciprocal agreements with companies about additional and faster CO2 reduction in 2030, accelerating critical infrastructure, options for financial support and facilitating fast and efficient permitting. The cabinet is also working on an implementation program for the circular economy. Smart use of raw materials and the replacement of fossil raw materials with renewable raw materials is essential for industrial sustainability.
Minister Micky Adriaansens (Economic Affairs and Climate): “Our industry is strong, and we want to keep it that way. Current developments make it even clearer that making the industry more sustainable cannot be delayed any longer. We must make that sustainability move now “If we do it right, it will also provide new economic opportunities. Government and industry must act together and take responsibility. I will do my utmost to help make industry more sustainable.”
The government creates the preconditions for companies to make the transition and makes choices that are focused on the long term. The need to combat climate change and build future sustainable economic potential will lastingly transform basic industries. The industry itself is responsible for its sustainability.
Opportunities
This sustainability also offers new economic opportunities for Dutch industry and service sectors. Companies can take a leading position and continue to distinguish themselves by making the necessary energy transition earlier than others. The government wants to help realize fundamentally new sustainable technologies. The Climate Fund will make an important contribution to this, for example for green hydrogen.