Ambitions in the field of sustainability require more decisiveness from politicians and business

The achievement of ambitious objectives in the field of sustainability are made or broken by decisiveness. It requires an effort from both the government and business. There is sufficient support and the necessary technology is available. It now comes down to decisiveness and the creation of a legal framework to realise these ambitions. That is the most important conclusion to arise from the Energy Efficiency Conference that Cofely and Electrabel – both divisions of the global GDF SUEZ Group – held yesterday in the Van Nelle Ontwerpfabriek in Rotterdam. Scores of scientists, captains of industry and representatives of social organisations stood up for more efficient use of energy. The government and the business world must transform their policy goals into concrete actions. A poll showed that almost 7 out of 10 organisations think that the government does not sufficiently stimulate real progress in the field of sustainability.

The reduction of greenhouse gases by at least 20 percent, the increase of the energy-efficiency by 20 percent and the share of sustainable energy at 20 percent: In order to achieve the EU objectives for 2020 in the field of sustainability, there are numerous initiatives. At the conference, the effectiveness and the feasibility of these were central issues. “The world will seize, if we don’t start managing energy differently. And it’s critical that government, business and knowledge institutes don’t develop separate initiatives, but rather combine forces. Although there is a lot of support for sustainability-related initiatives, we aren’t among the leaders in Europe. Government and business need to stop pointing to one another and instead work together to achieve real breakthroughs. We owe it to future generations”, says Edo van den Assem, CEO of Cofely Nederland. “Both Cofely and Electrabel want to share their knowledge about sustainable solutions, because together, we can take bigger steps. During the conference a debate began in which a lot of inspiring examples were mentioned.”

Lively energy debate

During the conference, there was a lively debate on the agenda. A discussion in which politicians from the SP and CDA, as well as former environmental minister Hans Alders, Ruud Koornstra – sustainable entrepreneur at Tendris, Wim de Ridder – professor of Future Exploration and Future Research at the University of Twente, Edo van den Assem – CEO of Cofely Nederland and Frank Choufour - Business Group Director of DSM Energy took part. Although the participants were in agreement that a lot has been achieved in the field of sustainability in recent decades, not everyone was optimistic about the question of whether the European Union’s sustainability goals for 2020 were feasible. “Between the dream and the reality, there are laws, regulations and practical difficulties,” summarised Former Environmental Minister Hans Alders. He argued for new legislation that leaves room for sustainable experiments. “We can’t just dismiss regulations, but we can’t realise an energy transition with the tools of the past either. We are heading into the future and we’re going to need a suitable set of instruments.” All those present agreed that it now primarily comes down to tempo and impetus.

From support to impetus

There is indeed enough support for energy efficiency. That was shown in the poll taken among the more than 400 conference-goers. More than 80 percent said, for example, that they were prepared to pay more for projects with sustainable solutions. 98 percent even emphasised that they would rather do business with parties that concretely implement sustainability and environment-friendly solutions. At the same time, more than 4 out of 5 people said they were unsatisfied by the extent of sustainable building and development projects in the Netherlands. According to them, more must be done or make homes, business properties and factories more sustainable. Also, 68 percent believes that the current cabinet policy creates insufficient conditions to make concrete progress in the field of sustainability. Conversely, 45 percent believes that they will succeed in reducing their CO2 emissions by 20 percent in 2020; 33 percent is more or less convinced of this.

‘Cradle to Cradle’

The keynote speaker during the conference was Michael Braungart, author of the prominent book on sustainable design, production and re-use of products: ‘Cradle to Cradle’. He argues that the ‘environmental issue’ is largely a question of perception. “The big misunderstanding is that there is no energy or climate problem. By focusing exclusively on the negative consequences of CO2 emissions – a problem created by people – we reduce sustainability to a question of conscience, making us feel almost guilty that we live on this planet. After all, you can only be truly CO2 neutral if you don’t exist.” Braungart emphasises that empty talk does not gain you earn anything. “We’re talking about energy efficiency, but it’s not so much about efficiency, but rather effectiveness: what is the best thing we could do and how can we do it as well as possible?”

Sustainable technology in practice

Hans van Happen, member of the management at Cofely Nederland, sketched what sustainable technology can mean in practice. He illustrated this with projects that visibly yield an energy gain, such as the Overhoeks neighbourhood in northern Amsterdam. Van Happen comments: “It’s a special residential project, in which we achieved energy savings of 40 percent, using heat and cold storage. In this area, which accommodates living, working and recreation in 437,000 m2, we have realised a CO2 reduction of more than 2,900 tons.” 

Cofely, a GDF SUEZ Company

Cofely is part of GDF SUEZ Energy Services, the European leader in multitechnical services. GDF SUEZ Energy Services offers its customers in industry, services, and infrastructures made-to-measure solutions, whether in the fields of engineering, installations or energy services.

GDF SUEZ Energy Services employs 77,000 people and achieved revenues of € 14 billion in 2008.
GDF SUEZ Energy Services is a business line of GDF SUEZ, one of the leading energy providers in the world.

Press Contact:

Ingrid Clauwaert, Manager Public Relations
Cofely Nederland NV
Kosterijland 50, 3981 AJ Bunnik; Postbus 210, 3980 CE Bunnik
Tel: 00 31 30 656 94 59; fax: 030 656 94 15
e-mail: ingrid.clauwaert(at)cofely-gdfsuez.nl