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Needless to say, the election results are a slap in the face for everyone who cares about the climate. But where a battle seems lost, the struggle continues unabated. Ambition, perseverance and decisiveness prevail, according to the first reactions from the sustainable business community.

People speaking out about the need for sustainable business speak out about the election results | Credit: Getty Images

In its party program, the PVV is short and clear on climate policy. Where other political parties lay out dozens of pages of plans, the PVV does so in just one A4. The message: we have to stop. With CO2 reduction, the Climate Agreement, CO2 taxes on polluting activities and climate subsidies.

The election result, however, is no reason for those on the barricades for a more sustainable business community to be complacent. Change Inc. took a tour of the fields. Some of the initial reactions:

Jacqueline van den Ende: taking matters into her own hands

Jacqueline van den Ende is founder and CEO of Carbon Equity, a platform that allows individuals to invest in climate technology solutions. She calls for action:

"You yourself must take action now. Me. We.

  • In all seriousness (and without wanting to promote myself) invest in climate solutions through Carbon Equity or other platforms like Sustainable Investing.
  • Support clubs like Environmental Defense that can force action through the judiciary.
  • And please also take responsibility in your own life. And yes, that includes flying less, taking the train to Zurich for a while instead of flying, buying less new."

Olof van de Gaag: the necessary nuance

Olof van der Gaag has been championing sustainability for years and is president at the Dutch Sustainable Energy Association (NVDE). On LinkedIn, Van der Gaag puts the election results in perspective. He writes:

"The program of the PVV would be disastrous for the transition, but fortunately there is no majority for that by far.

What strikes me about the result as a whole:

  • 40 seats 'away with climate policy'
  • 40 seats 'more ambitious climate policy'
  • 70 seats 'meet existing targets' (in many variants, of course)

So there is a significant negative vote, but a much larger group that wants to continue."

Van der Gaag's advice? "The energy transition benefits greatly from continuity. Uncertainty and zigzag policies make it harder, slower and more expensive - thus perpetuating pollution & dependence."

Michel Scholte: We keep fighting

Impact entrepreneur and founder of Impact Institute addresses the question of where Wilders' success comes from. As an "issue owner of migration and integration," the party has capitalized on issues that have received a lot of media attention lately. An excerpt from Scholte's LinkedIn post:

  • "If you check the facts and followed developments, you really shouldn't be surprised that the PVV attracted 2 million votes. It scares a lot of people, it is absolutely not my party and it never will be. Themes such as climate, poverty, nature and environment, inside and outside the Netherlands; real prizes, sustainability, PVV has little to do with it so far.
  • This was what prompted me and Adrian (de Groot Ruiz, Impact Institute director, ed.) at PVV's last win in 2010 to work on a social movement, from civil society, business, entrepreneurship, consumers.

In that respect, not much has changed. We continue to struggle."

Elisah Pals: less hope, more courage of despair

Waste prevention expert, initiator of Zero Waste Netherlands and queen of recycling. Elisah Pals, despite disbelief and shock, feels mostly motivation to keep going. She writes on LinkedIn:

"With less hope, but more courage of despair. That is a strength not to be underestimated. Courage of despair is a primal force, which taps into survival instincts. I hope that everyone may feel it and from there - preferably together - we do the right things.

  • Climate is not waiting.
  • The biodiversity crisis is not waiting.
  • The resource transition is not waiting.
  • Now it is - even more - up to us."

Hans Stegeman: A different narrative

Chief economist of Triodos Bank Hans Stegeman expresses surprise at the voting behavior of the Netherlands. Fear prevails over solutions. At the same time, he stresses the importance of a different narrative to raise awareness of the risks of climate change. He writes (freely translated from English):

  • "Campaigning based on fear - whether it is the fear of immigrants, a change in lifestyle, reduced consumption or any other form of change - proves remarkably effective.
  • Put another way, the narrative advocating necessary change (such as addressing climate change, reforming the agricultural sector or improving health care) lacks the persuasiveness that fear-based campaigns have.
  • So this is the challenge for progressives: how do we craft an attractive, inclusive narrative that is as persuasive as fear-based campaigns?"

Also read:

  • Dutch climate policy gets a bashing, but this happened in Europe in the meantime

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