In 2015, research by Management Team magazine showed that, in addition to innovation, Smart Industry, creative financing and a high level of knowledge, the Dutch manufacturing industry saw sustainable thinking as one of its key success factors back then. We are on the threshold of 2019 and it seems that this prediction has, thankfully, come true. More and more, I see industry taking responsibility when it comes to global warming issues. Partnerships and projects on recycling, sustainable raw materials and reducing CO2 emissions are certainly sprouting like mushrooms.
This reminds me of the words of nuclear physicist, former politician and writer Jan Terlouw in early December during a meeting of industry association Machevo & Bulk. He said that the industry taking responsibility was a great example of what successful entrepreneurs, as well as good politicians, do; Looking ahead. But to do that, you need to understand what is going on in the world and society. Unfortunately, according to Terlouw, the current rapid changes are making that increasingly difficult. In addition, there is unrest in the world because more and more power is vested in a few. And that is mainly with capital and not with politics, which means politics has less room for manoeuvre.
Terlouw also expressed concern about the power humans have gained over other organisms over the past 50 to 100 years and the dangers posed by rapid global warming. We can, he said, reduce CO2 emissions. It is technically feasible, but it requires change and decisive action by a strong government. The central government wants almost zero emissions of greenhouse gases such as CO2 by 2050. The Energy Agreement contains agreements on the share of renewable energy in 2023. The Energy Agenda contains agreements up to 2050. And yet, according to Terlouw, it is difficult to get off the ground because politics is thus losing its power.
So technically, we can tackle the climate problem quite well. Economically, too, it can offer us new opportunities. Sustainable solutions generate work and money. Especially if we have to pay for CO2 emissions. Then people do want to look for solutions. The challenge lies in coping with political and social resistance. But these days, politicians seem to act only if they get citizens on board. The message must therefore arrive and get through to the majority. Fortunately, as I wrote above, more and more entrepreneurs are picking up sustainability. It is up to the government to ensure a fair 'playing field' for business. A good entrepreneur thinks about the future and perhaps a sustainable future requires a different economic model. A circular economy that does not necessarily rely on growth to be successful.
Especially for generations to come, I wish the current politicians and CEOs in this world much wisdom and the skills to rule over their own graves.
This blog was written by Astrid van Ballegoy @Astrid_Hitma.
