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After six months of wrangling, the decision seems to be made: there will be a cabinet with PVV, VVD, NSC and BBB. Since then, reflections on the outline agreement have been pouring in from all corners of society, including organizations concerned with sustainability issues. Some of their reactions.

According to the Bird Conservancy, the new cabinet is engaging in "ostrich politics. | Credit: Getty Images

Dutch Sustainable Energy Association

The Dutch Sustainable Energy Association (NVDE) takes a positive stance. After all, climate policy is not going through the shredder, as PVV leader Geert Wilders did in his election manifesto. The NVDE also finds it good news that the parties want to commit to their own sustainable energy production.

"By reaffirming the statutory goal of 55 percent CO2 reduction by 2030, retaining the climate fund and emphasizing the desire for greater energy independence, the commitment to climate policy remains virtually the same," the organization writes . "To make this a reality, the new ministers must go full steam ahead with implementation: realizing renewable energy projects and energy infrastructure faster."

However, the NVDE is concerned about the tax rebate on fossil energy and the scrapping of the mandatory installation of a heat pump. "To keep the pace in the energy transition and reduce dependence on fossil energy, alternative measures are needed in the built environment, among others. Here lies an important job for the new ministers. The NVDE is happy to work together to come up with practical and feasible solutions."

Bird Protection

According to Vogelbescherming, the coalition agreement is a disaster for nature. The organization emphasizes that Dutch nature is in bad shape, and accuses the coalition partners of "ostrich politics"(pardon the pun).

Karsten Schipperheijn, director of the Vogelbescherming, says: "The plans that are now on the table are disconcerting and are a big step backwards. Without healthy nature there is no future for farmers and the healthy living environment with clean air, safe drinking water and our unique cultural landscape is also at stake. Where is the hope, guts and pride when it comes to our Dutch nature? We can no longer afford this ostrich policy."

Greenpeace and World Wildlife Fund

Environmental organization Greenpeace also uses the term ostrich politics in its reflection. In the eyes of director Andy Palmen, the agreement shows that the forming parties want to ignore and postpone the climate and biodiversity crisis. "This agreement mainly breathes fear of change and wants to preserve a world that in reality no longer exists. Instead of boldly choosing measures that are really going to solve the problems, false promises are made that do not help nature and the climate. You cannot solve the nature crisis by reducing the number of Natura 2000 areas. More gas extraction in the vulnerable North Sea is not a solution to the climate crisis. This way we will only get further from home."

The World Wildlife Fund (WWF-NL) thinks the same way. According to the nature organization, nature as the basis for the broad welfare of humans and animals is being forfeited by the plans of the upcoming cabinet. "By intervening in the Transition Fund, Climate Fund and the National Growth Fund, essential investments in sustainability will be forfeited and the pressure on biodiversity and water quality will remain unabated," WWF-NL informs.

"The plan to review Natura 2000 areas will not ensure strong natural areas if polluters are given more space in the meantime. WWF is positive about the renewed focus on the Room for the River program, which uses nature as an ally in ensuring water safety and drinking water supply. But the major cuts in development cooperation are worrisome. These cuts affect not only poor communities, but also the protection of rainforests and coral reefs that are important for their livelihoods."

Techniek Nederland

Techniek Nederland, a trade association of technical service providers, installation companies and retailers, is looking at the outline agreement with mixed feelings. On the one hand, the organization is pleased that there will be another cabinet on the platform. But Techniek Nederland is also concerned, particularly about the reversal of the obligation to compulsorily replace central heating boilers with heat pumps starting in 2026.

"We as a sector have made agreements with the government and expect the government to honor those agreements," said director Doekle Terpstra. "This is an ill-considered decision. Together we have put our shoulders to the wheel to reduce CO2 emissions. Installation companies and independent entrepreneurs have put a lot of money, time and energy into training and the industry has increased production capacity. By rolling this back, the cabinet is putting an entire sector in trouble. This really needs to be off the table."

Techniek Nederland also sees that there are no agreements in the agreement about stimulating technical vocational education. The organization does think this is very necessary. "If we do not succeed in getting more technicians to work, our country will literally get stuck."

The organization does find it positive that the upcoming cabinet wants to maintain existing climate goals and that it wants to address grid congestion. "We hope that the composition of the ministerial team will not take too much time," Terpstra said. "The technology sector would like to quickly sit down with the relevant ministers to make agreements that will move the country forward."

European Commission

The coalition agreement contains a lot of points for which the parties will have to travel to Brussels for approval. In particular, adjustments to migration and nitrogen policies require exceptions to European policy. It remains to be seen whether the coalition will get them. A spokesman for the European Commission told NIS that the chances are not high.

"You cannot evade EU legislation. In the past, when the EU treaties came about, certain countries negotiated opt-outs (exceptions, ed.). But we work here on the basis of existing treaties and legislation."

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