The government should promote a rapid transition to a circular economy by implementing supportive and facilitating policies. This is the conclusion of nearly 30 CEOs of Dutch multinational corporations and SMEs after their meeting with VNO-NCW Chairman Hans de Boer. They feel that the Netherlands would be well advised to prioritize this subject on the European agenda during the Dutch EU Presidency next year.

Absolute necessity
VNO-NCW states that the transition to a circular economy is an absolute necessity for everyone involved, including the business sector, consumers, and the environment. The circular economy allows much tighter control over valuable raw materials and resources that are rapidly being depleted. Furthermore, it will reduce the ecological footprint of the entire production chain. 
‘So, therefore, it is a win-win situation,’ according to Jan Peter Balkenende, Chairman of the Dutch Sustainable Growth Coalition (DSGC), who emphasized that increasing sustainability will continue to require courage on the part of businesses and their leaders. ‘They should develop new business models and have the courage to implement them. Subsequently, it is up to consumers to follow their lead.’

International leader
Many Dutch companies are taking great strides even today in increasing the sustainability of their company’s revenue model. The eight DSGC members (AkzoNobel, DSM, FrieslandCampina, Heineken, KLM, Philips, Shell, and Unilever), for instance, have been setting the trend in this area for years. Yesterday, these CEOs shared their vision, experiences, and best practices with twenty other CEOs of large Dutch companies and SMEs in a meeting in the Malietoren (Malie Tower).

Paris Climate Conference
The delegation met with De Boer to discuss ways to accelerate the transition to a green economy, as well as climate change and the upcoming international climate summit in Paris late in December, as it is clear that the shift to a circular economy should not be restricted to the Netherlands.