Working together to make industry more sustainable

January 19, 2024 - Press release from the LWV:

'Working together, going full steam ahead with the customization and cluster approach and, above all, implementing stable policies.' That and more is needed to make Dutch industry sustainable and ahead of the game, according to a joint advice from unions, employers and Crown Members represented in the SER. The LWV also emphatically endorses the SER opinion.

In the Manufacturing Industry Sustainability advice letter from the Social and Economic Council (SER), the social partners write that increasing the sustainability of the manufacturing industry is essential to achieve the climate and circularity goals. An innovative and sustainable manufacturing industry also contributes to earning capacity and employment. Investments in the industry and stable policies are also indispensable for strengthening vulnerable Dutch regions, a healthy living environment and to become more independent from unstable countries.

Importance of the manufacturing industry

Ingrid Thijssen, president of VNO-NCW: 'I am pleased with this advice and that we as unions and employers agree on the importance of a strong manufacturing industry for our country, on the importance of good supportive policies from the government to make it more sustainable and to build new 'clean tech' and circular industries. After all, it is incredibly important as a country to have its own manufacturing industry.'

Pushing ahead

According to the advice, everything possible must be done in the coming cabinet period to implement the sustainability plans of the six industry clusters and tailor-made agreements with large CO2 emitters. Among other things, the funds reserved for this purpose in the Climate Fund can be used for the right preconditions (new infrastructure, subsidies for currently uneconomic technology, etc.). Above all, it is crucial that bottlenecks (such as the congested power grid) are removed and stable policies are put in place to make investments possible. Especially in the coming years, billions in investments must be made in industry, and other countries are also pulling hard on these new green and innovative investments.

Tackling problems on the power grid faster

With regard to the problems on the electricity grid, the SER recommends that a next cabinet get down to work energetically, whereby implementation can be greatly accelerated, for example, by a planned rollout of the electricity grid per area. In addition, it is important to continue to focus on energy-saving measures and to ensure that the costs of electrification do not fall out of line with our neighbors, so that investments in electrification pay off.

Normal shortage of technicians one of the biggest bottlenecks

Much attention in the opinion is also paid to the enormous shortage of technical personnel. The SER asks the government for support in realizing an active labor market and training policy. Skilled workers from elsewhere also remain indispensable if they cannot be found in the Netherlands.

Clean-tech agenda and accelerating raw materials transition

Following the European agenda, the Netherlands will have to make a strategic agenda for new clean technologies in the manufacturing industry (clean techs) and also to ensure that the circular economy really gets off the ground in the coming years. Especially for the Netherlands there are many opportunities here, but an adequate implementation structure, a good set of instruments and strong coordination is needed from the national government.

The LWV emphatically endorses the SER opinion

'In Limburg we have great manufacturing industry. We can rightly call it one of the crown jewels of our province. North Limburg is proudly called 'the land of the makers', and rightly so! Companies are taking sustainability seriously and must be supported in doing so. It doesn't help if you go for electrification of processes that then the power grid is the bottleneck.' Says Huub Narinx, LWV director.