Remco de Boer

Why does the global distribution of solar panels not overlap with the global distribution of sunshine? This, and many more intriguing questions, are explored by Sustainable Finance Lab that was - until yesterday - led by the "researcher with a mission" Rens Van Tilburg (and now by Brenda Kramer). The logic of #finance is an extremely important factor to explain how the world is organized as it is today. Hanging around with members and followers of this group is a true revelation to me. What are the mechanisms that can be used by the European Central Bank to promote green incentives? What is the net transfer of resources between Global North and Global South? How credible is the current sustainability reporting by private companies? In a refreshingly clear essay Dirk Schoenmaker and co-authors estimate the fraction of net profit for shareholders that is in fact an extraction of social value (unfair labor rewards) or environmental quality (non-paid pollution transferred to future generations). They estimate it at #twothird. Correcting for this would reduce global average investment revenue from 4.5 to 1.5%. And instruments to realize this correction do exist, particularly in Europe, where sustainability reporting increases in scope and influence. https://lnkd.in/e96umw7b In the current scoping phase of the IPCC Working Group Assessment Reports we're eager to document the evidence of financial control on climate action and sustainable development. It's reassuring to realize the experts are there! Alexander Barkawi | Wouter Botzen | Karen Maas | Detmer Koekoek | Sandra Phlippen | Paul Polman

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Triodos Bank and Triodos Investment Management - together with 160 other financial institutions representing 15.5 USD trillion combined assets- are calling for an ambitious international treaty to end plastic pollution by backing the Finance Statement on Plastic Pollution. #PlasticPollution exacerbates the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, with plastic projected to double and account for 15% of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. By signing the Finance Statement on Plastic Pollution, we are calling on governments for an ambitious international treaty to end plastic pollution ahead of the fourth round of international negotiations (#INC4) taking place next week in Canada. A reduction in our economy’s reliance on single-use plastics translates into a reduction of the environmental and public health toll of plastic production, waste management, and pollution throughout plastic supply chains. #BeatPlasticPollution

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We know the Netherlands is a global leader in promoting #circulareconomy but it is also refreshing to see the Dutch acknowledge the challenges in certain problematic sectors. Research by Utrecht University has shown that circularity transition is being held back by major challenges like energy transition, the housing crisis and supply chains disrupted by geopolitical conflict. Research by Remi Elzinga found that resource recovery & recycling 'is not the focus' of the #renewableenergy sector especially for wind turbines & solar panels. Sanne Bours found that only a small percentage of #recycled plastic is being used in new #packaging. Similarly the housing sector in responding to housing need is not prioritising recycled or reused materials. These are current issues in the Netherlands looking for solutions which can be shared globally. Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Utrecht University PBL Planbureau voor de Leefomgeving Robert Harmsen Simona Negro Dai Andrew Forterre Ph.D. Joren Schep

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Visualising industrial emissions over the last quarter decade in the Netherlands compared to surrounding countries. Each circle and its size represents carbon emissions from a specific company (~3200). Colour denotes different sectors. Emissions from outside the Netherlands are shown in one colour for context for the year 2022. 1990 - 82 MT 1995 - 88 MT 2000 - 78 MT 2005 - 99 MT 2010 - 103 MT 2015 - 103 MT 2020 - 95 MT 2022 - 84 MT . 2030 - 36.9 MT (55% reduction compared to 1990) . 2050 - Carbon neutral! Carbon emissions from industrial sectors seems to have peaked in the Netherlands. While we are quite far away from the stated targets, the trend is towards reduction of emissions. The CO2 emissions intensity of the Dutch economy was more than 30 percent lower in 2023 than in 2015 as the economy steers more towards services. However, green-ing the overrepresented petrochemical industry will continue to be a challenge for the Dutch economy. The installations (345 companies) in the Netherlands that fall under the European Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) together emit approximately half of Dutch greenhouse gases. The EU ETS is a carbon emission trading scheme (or cap and trade scheme) which began in 2005 and is intended to lower greenhouse gas emissions in the EU and covers over 11,000 factories, power stations, and other installations with a net heat excess of 20 MW in 31 countries. Cap and trade schemes limit emissions of specified pollutants over an area and allow companies to trade emissions rights within that area. The ETS covers around 45% of the EU's greenhouse gas emissions. Under this scheme, a maximum (cap) is set on the total amount of greenhouse gases that can be emitted by all participating installations. EU Allowances for emissions are then auctioned off or allocated for free, and can subsequently be traded. Installations must monitor and report their CO2 emissions, ensuring they hand in enough allowances to the authorities to cover their emissions. In order to exceed its emissions allowance, an installation must purchase allowances from others. Conversely, if an installation emits less than its allowance, it can sell its leftover credits. In 2022, stationary installations (e.g. power generation and manufacturing industry) in Netherlands emitted 68.5 MtCO2-eq (equal to 44% of total GHG emissions in Netherlands). This is 7.6% higher compared to 2021, but 18.2% below pre-pandemic levels. By 2022, emissions from stationary installations were down by 21.2% against the 2013 level (i.e. -24.6% to the 2005 level) In parallel, Netherlands has raised over EUR 4.20 billion in auction revenues since 2013, available for further climate action and energy transformation. Netherlands reported that an average of 52% of revenues was spent for climate and energy purposes over the same period.

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While I was travelling in Europe I met with the inspirational Willem Ferwerda of Commonland, talking about their large scale ecosystem restoration based on 4 returns. If you are wondering how you can do you business better, how you can become a 'for-return' instead of a 'for-profit' organization have a read, free to access online. 4 returns are: ·         Return of Inspiration - Giving people hope and a sense of purpose ·         Social return - Bringing back jobs, education and social connections ·         Natural return - Restoring biodiversity and soils for healthy and resilient landscapes ·         Financial return - Realising long-term sustainable income for communities https://lnkd.in/gnSsXTWK

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🌍 Can Wopke Hoekstra lead Europe’s green future? 🇳🇱 📄 The former Dutch finance minister is under scrutiny as he tries to prove his commitment to climate action. But can a conservative, free-market advocate truly bring the transformation the EU needs? 🤔 🎤 His hearing is today at 9:00 a.m at the European Parliament and you can access it 👇 https://lnkd.in/eBtVEsFT European Commission European Committee of the Regions European Economic and Social Committee #climatechange #EuropeanUnion #Sustainability

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If you start a journey at the peak of a mountain your story will tell about how you descended to the valley. Same vice versa. This counts as well for measuring temperature over time. Start at the lowest point in 10.000 years and temperature will go up, slowly or quickly. Remember in Greenland even petrified rain forest leaves were found. So how man-made is the increase or is it just another tax collecting make you feel guilty story alike the church used to let you pay indulgences for the bad things you did. Or a story to distract our attention from what we really should look at: pollution, deforestation and stupid destructive wars. Or a story to reduce your Freedom and independence? Or all of the above?

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Thanks Alex Money for your reflections on the 10th World Water Forum. These resonate well with Equarius Risk Analytics value proposition and our #waterBeta risk pricing product. Quantifying and articulating the financial and strategic implications of water risk to corporate operations and market risk is key. Water volume and price are poor proxies for materiality and value. Our work with the U-M CEE Center for Digital Asset Finance, Kurita Group, Asahi Group Holdings, and #SP500 companies shows that: 1. Water intensity directly impacts operating profit and earnings 2. Water intensity negatively affects ROE and ROA 3. Water risk negatively impacts Tobin's Q (future valuation) 4. Water use efficiency positively impacts cost of equity (COE) 5. Managing water use efficiency has a positive effect on alpha Our clients want to use water risk data mainly for strategic decision making, a financial proposition. It is the corporate finance/M&A and heads of supply chain that need to be engaged to move the water issue to #actionable levels. #waterstrategy #financialresilience #riskmanagement #decisionscience

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“Last week, the Dutch central bank released a study that concluded that “[s]ince 2020, a clear price difference has emerged between the costs of borrowing for companies with relatively high carbon emissions and those with lower (or no) carbon emissions . . . . [t]he difference has [] widened to over 40 basis points (0.4%).” The implication of this divergence is clear: “companies with lower emissions can finance their operations at lower costs.” The Dutch central bank suggested that this development was attributable to “the implementation of stricter European climate policies,” including “the European Green Deal in December 2019, [and] new climate legislation in 2020.” In essence, the research study suggested that the market was beginning to internalize the legislative and regulatory agenda of transitioning to a green economy by assigning a risk premium to carbon-intensive activities. In short, this was a (partial) victory for those interested in combatting climate change through influencing the behavior of market participants through government action creating meaningful (dis)incentives.”

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🚨 Shell’s Landmark Emissions Case: Implications for Climate Strategy 🚨 A major legal development today; #Shell has won their appeal in reversing the 2021 ruling in which they were ordered to cut their carbon emissions by 45% by 2030, compared to 2019 levels, in order to protect Dutch citizens. This comes just months after Shell weakened a 2030 carbon reduction target and scrapped a 2035 objective, citing expectations for strong gas demand and uncertainty in the #energy transition.   This highlights the ongoing debate between corporate climate commitments and legal mandates and raises some critical questions: ➡ What does this mean for future emissions legislation? ➡ How will energy companies balance their legal obligations with global sustainability goals? ➡ How do businesses and policymakers build sustainable pathways amid regulatory challenges. ➡ Should courts have the power to mandate emissions reductions on global companies? ➡ Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eybcXRek. Love to hear your views below #ClimateCrisis  #SustainabilityRegulation  #COP29  

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Insightful and so very true.

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🚨 France 2040: The Critical Path Ahead The latest report from the Fondation Jean Jaurès - Jean Jaurès Stiftung - Jean Jaurès foundation - Jean Jaurès Stichting reveals unsettling yet crucial insights about our potential future. Two Potential Futures: 🤝🏽🌍 Alpha Future: A society that prioritizes collective well-being, cohesion, and protection of the vulnerable. Here, political authorities play a pivotal role in curbing inequality and moderating economic influence. 💸🔗 Omega Future: A society dominated by market forces and money, where the state is powerless, and inequality spirals into fragmentation and overreliance on unsustainable technology. I made my choice. Key Takeaways: 🙌🏻 Collective Action is Essential: Our future is not set in stone. We still have the power to shape it through decisive collective action. 🌟 💔 Embracing Sobriety: The concept of living with less is challenging, yet it’s crucial for bridging societal divides. Sobriety isn't about regression; it's about reconnecting with what truly matters—relationships, passions, and nature. 🍃 ⚡ Adaptation & Mitigation: You can’t pick one or the others, both are interlinked now, and we need to address them both. 🌍 Climate Debate Evolution: The conversation has shifted from questioning the reality of climate change (it’s real!) to debating the urgency of action versus a gradual transition. We can’t afford delays given the accelerating damage to ecosystems. ⏳🔥 It’s not just about what we do, but how we do it. And the choices we make today will shape not just the next 20 years, but the generations to come. 👇 Report below cc daphni #ClimateAction #France2040 #Sustainability #FutureIsNow

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CIRCULAR in ecologic strategy not the shape of the city... so by the time I die my city will be near zero-waste, cleaner greener and even happier. A KEY idea manufacturers need to plan for the death and return and rebirth of their products. It's natural. https://lnkd.in/gQEWXvca

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This is compelling reading. “The damages are six times larger than the mitigation costs that are needed to limit warming to 2C.” Reducing emissions rapidly is the most rational action now.

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How to reshape our gas stations to fit the mobility and energy transition   As a result of the transition towards an era of new modes of (energy for) mobility, there is less and less need for traditional gas stations. Amsterdam has around 60 traditional gas stations. Just imagine how many there are in all European cities!   My colleague Marek Kruszel worked over the past 4 years, together with public organizations and organizations in the energy & mobility sector to develop a vision for ‘The Gas Station of the Future’. He truly did an amazing job to translate this vision into a formal contract between the City of Amsterdam and TotalEnergies and Pon. The gas station at the Olympic Stadium in Amsterdam will be the first in our beautiful city to become future proof. His lessons learned, and those that are yet to be learned, can be of great value & inspiration for other cities across Europe to start reshaping their gas stations. #Duurzamemobiliteit #Innovati #Polis #Eurocities #Smartcities #Amsterdam #PON #TotalEnergies #SustainableEnergy #Innovatie #EnergieTransitie

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#hetkanwel https://lnkd.in/eV42PNQw Interessant overzicht van de gestage groei van #duurzame #opwek. Mooie groeicijfers! "Renewable sources contributed 32.4% of total OECD electricity production in August 2024, representing a 7.6% increase year-on-year. This growth was driven by significant increases in solar (+27.3% y-o-y) and wind (+5.5% y-o-y) generation. The continued growth in solar generation saw double-digit increases across all regions year-on-year: OECD Americas +32.2%, OECD Europe +28.8% and OECD Asia Oceania +16.8%. Wind generation in OECD Asia Oceania increased by 40% year-on-year to 5 TWh, or 2.8% of total generation in the region. OECD Europe generated the largest amount of electricity from wind in August 2024 (37.9 TWh), an increase of 5.5% year-on-year".