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Source: Government of the Netherlands

News item | 10-12-2021 | 15:45

Caretaker Minister for Infrastructure & Water Management, Barbara Visser, says: “There are about 25.000 seafarers on Dutch ships, and a fleet of 2.200 ships is managed from the Netherlands. The maritime sector contributes to 3% of our economy. 90% of all goods worldwide are transported by sea, including most of the products we buy in our shops. In a global sector like the maritime sector, a level playing field is important – and international agreements have to be made to secure that. I also think of our ambitions for zero-emission shipping and safe transport. It’s also about a safe working environment, with the IMO’s call for access to vaccines for seafarers as a recent example. The Netherlands has made an effort to ensure seafarers could get a Covid-19 vaccine in Dutch ports – regardless of their nationality. I am proud that we can contribute to safe, secure and sustainable shipping.”

Dutch priorities

The Netherlands is part of the group of countries that aims for more ambitions for a greener maritime sector, to become climate neutral in 2050. Within this group, the Netherlands works to promote the interests of the Dutch maritime sector.

Furthermore, the Netherlands wants to work on the safe transport of containers and the development of safe autonomous vessels. The Netherlands also wants to support renewed training standards for seafarers and to pay more attention to the smaller member states (like islands).

An important contribution to this successful re-election has been the level of knowledge present within our maritime cluster of the Netherlands and the Caribbean countries and public bodies. Additionally, the Kingdom of the Netherlands has been actively contributing to the IMO working groups dealing with safety, climate and environmental issues. The seat in the Council will be filled by representatives of the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management.

International Maritime Organisation (IMO)

The International Maritime Organisation, founded in 1948, is a UN agency responsible for the international regulations in maritime shipping. On 10 December, the Assembly – consisting of all member states – elected a new Council. Next to the Netherlands, 39 other countries sit on the Council.

The Council meets twice a year and acts as a daily board governing the International Maritime Organisation. In addition to the Assembly of all member states, the IMO compromises five committees active in maritime safety and security, the environment, facilitation, legislation, and technical cooperation to support member states with insufficient knowledge and means.

Source: Government of the Netherlands

News item | 10-11-2021 | 01:00

Clean transport cuts emissions

Transport is a major sector in the Netherlands, providing jobs and income. And the sector is increasingly green: Dutch companies excel in building zero emission buses and trucks. Yet heavy-duty transport is still a major source of air pollution, accounting for over a third of road traffic carbon emissions globally and producing many toxic gases that people breathe in directly. Transport sector emissions worldwide are not yet in line with the Paris Agreement goals.

Solutions important to the Netherlands

Electric and hydrogen-powered trucks and buses provide a solution to the problem. They are quiet and have zero emissions, but are currently still expensive. Many transport companies cannot afford them, and many manufacturers are still hesitant about mass producing clean heavy-duty vehicles.

The Netherlands wants to accelerate efforts in this field. The Dutch government provides grants for businesses wanting to purchase emission-free delivery vans, and a similar scheme is soon to be introduced for heavy goods vehicles. However, it is important that customers have a wide choice of vehicles. Since lorry and bus manufacturers are located around the world, international cooperation is essential.

State Secretary for Infrastructure and Water Management Steven van Weyenberg: ‘This agreement is a great start. The Netherlands is ambitious. In our National Climate Agreement, we’ve already pledged to make all road traffic clean by 2050. It’s important to work together with other countries to ensure that the market develops more quickly. So I call on other countries to join us.’

In addition to the Netherlands, the heavy-duty vehicles agreement has also been signed by Austria, Canada, Chile, Denmark, Finland, New Zealand, Norway, Scotland, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Kingdom, Uruguay and Wales.
 

Working together

The fifteen countries are going to create policy that will help achieve the agreed goals. They will not only work together and exchange knowledge but also meet every year to report on the progress being made. In addition to countries, various states, transport companies and heavy goods vehicle manufacturers are involved, including California, DHL, Heineken, Scania and BYD.

The logic behind the agreement is simple. If the heavy-duty vehicles fleet is to be zero emission by 2050, all new trucks and buses purchased must be clean from 2040. After all, they have a lifespan of approximately 10 years. And to accommodate the moments when businesses are most likely to replace their fleet, the goal is for 30% of the new heavy-duty vehicles market to be zero emission by 2030.

Charging stations

To underscore the importance of good charging stations, the Netherlands and California are hosting a separate session on charging stations at the climate summit today. After all, clean cars, buses and goods vehicles cannot operate without proper charging infrastructure.

More information about the agreement and a full list of signing countries and supporting parties:
https://globaldrivetozero.org/MOU/ 
 

Source: Government of the Netherlands

News item | 04-11-2021 | 14:22

Electric car sharing on the rise

Electric car sharing is growing rapidly. That is good news for our climate and clean air in the city; cars that are propelled by electricity do not emit exhaust gases. The number of electric shared cars (both full electric and plug-in hybrid) has doubled in 2021. Of all 87.825 shared cars in the Netherlands, about 13% is electrical. That is a high percentage when compared to the average car in the Netherlands of which roundabout 3,1 per cent is electrical.

Vice minister Van Weyenberg (infrastructure and water works) states that this is good news: “Car sharing is on the rise and that is a good thing. It helps mitigate climate change, cleaner air and a better use of public space. On top of that, for many people it is an affordable alternative to a privately owned car or a second car. And being electric only makes it more advantageous.”

Growth on all fronts

The quick increase of the number of electrical shared cars is seen in multiple areas. Free-floating shared cars (in which you can leave the car at your destination) are practically all fully electric. This also goes for the roundtrip shared cars which are home zone based. The other variant of roundtrip carsharing (the station based version) and business carsharing are off for a good head start in electrification.

Research shows that the process of installing a charging point near a car sharing parking spot can be a delaying factor. Especially the realisation of charging infrastructure in public spaces is time consuming, requiring an extra planning effort for car sharing service providers.

Growth is accelerating

The Netherlands had about 87.000 shared cars early 2021. In one year’s time that means that about 13.000 cars have been added. On a national scale, the growth of shared cars is continuing and even seems to accelerate.

Type of car sharing

All types of car sharing have increased on the supply side over 2020. The most frequently observed type of car sharing is peer-to-peer car sharing, which enables you to rent a car from another person. Of all other types, business car sharing has seen the fastest growth, followed by round trip car sharing. After that we see community-based car sharing (a fixed group of people is using one or more shared cars in a closed pool) and free floating car sharing.

Source: Government of the Netherlands

News item | 21-09-2021 | 15:15

Accessibility of the Netherlands

Regular maintenance of our roads, bridges, and railways is vitally important, in order to keep trucks, passenger cars, ships, and trains moving. In this day and age, such maintenance is especially important, because our infrastructure is subject to more intensive use than estimated upon its original construction, seventy years ago, and because traffic flows are heavier now. Consequently, the Netherlands is faced with one of the largest infrastructure taskings since records began.

Next year, Rijkswaterstaat will be able to invest 2.1 billion euros in maintenance, replacement, and innovation. Up to 2025 inclusive, the ProRail railway authority will be investing 1.5 billion euros annually in railway management, maintenance, and replacement. In the future, however, the deficits will be substantial. The investments scheduled for 2022 will enable the organisations to nonetheless proceed with the next steps.

As the Netherlands will be building another 900,000 houses in the years up to 2030 inclusive, additional connections and infrastructure will be required in order to enable the new residents to continue to travel smoothly from one location to another. For example, by the end of 2021, the second and third ten-minute trains will be operating between Arnhem – Utrecht and Schiphol Airport, and between Schiphol Airport and The Hague – Rotterdam. The outgoing Cabinet is aiming for maximum sustainability with respect to infrastructure maintenance and construction, also with a view to the nitrogen issue. A case in point is the grant scheme for entrepreneurs intending to procure zero-exhaust construction machines.

Safety of the Netherlands

The situation in the province of Limburg has demonstrated that the Netherlands needs better protection against the consequences of extreme weather. The IPCC climate report underscores the urgency of such measures. That is why the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management is fully committed to dyke improvement and river widening. Further studies are exploring how the Netherlands can be prepared for severe precipitation. The recommendations from such studies will be followed up in 2022.

In addition to severe precipitation, extreme weather also involves prolonged drought. Via the Delta Fund, the Ministry is investing an additional 100 million euros in measures aimed at climate-proofing our freshwater supply. This brings the total sum available for such measures to 250 million euros.

This year, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management will once more invest 50 million euros in the improvement of nationwide road safety, out of the 500-million-euro package that will become available in the ten years ahead. Local and regional governments can use these funds in the purview of the construction or adaptation of safe infrastructure, e.g., for bicycles.

Liveability of the Netherlands

A liveable environment with greenery and clean air is essential for everyone. That is why the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management is committed to boosting a zero-waste economy: the circular economy. In 2022, 14 million euros will be available for this purpose, for example, to assist entrepreneurs in streamlining their reuse.

The Ministry is also making headway in terms of cleaner mobility. In the years ahead, the grant scheme for the purchase or lease of new or used electric passenger cars will be expanded. This scheme has proven immensely popular over recent years. For the next three years, the Ministry has allocated an additional 90 million euros to this incentive scheme.

A focal point under the climate package is the use of quayside electricity, which obviates the need for moored ships to use polluting fuel oil for their power generation.

COVID-19

The measures to combat COVID-19 have significantly reduced the number of tailbacks and public transportation volumes. Now that society is gradually “opening up” again, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management wants to minimise congestion by spreading road and public transportation traffic. To this end, the Ministry is setting down agreements with employers and educational establishments on allowing staff to work from home for several days a week.

Although public transportation passenger volumes are picking up, the revenue has not yet reached pre-COVID levels. In order to keep the public transportation facilities up to par, a sum of 140 million euros has been budgeted for the extension of the public transportation availability allowance up to 31 August 2022.

Source: Government of the Netherlands

News item | 14-06-2021 | 12:30

Minister Van Veldhoven: “We use our iPhones for only eighteen months on average, while it contains many rare materials. Many ICT products have similar short lifespans and we produce so many of them that the ICT sector already causes over two percent of global carbon emissions. There are more challenges in the mining, production and waste of ICT, both in energy and resource use and in poor worker conditions. I believe we have to change course. That is why I have taken the initiative for the ICT Pact. With this pact we strive towards circular ICT products in a transparent value chain where worker rights are being protected.”

The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Norway, the United Kingdom, Austria and Switzerland have all signed the pact today, as well as the Circular Innovation Council in Canada. Talks are already underway with several other countries and procuring organizations to join up as well.

Sustainable ICT market

The aim of the pact is to create a network of procurers all contributing to a large, collective demand for circular and fair laptops and smartphones. This in turn helps ICT producers change their business and accelerates new innovations. Together we accelerate the process to a sustainable market. Both procuring organizations and government can join the pact.

Procurers who join commit to buying circular and fair where possible, harmonizing their demand and sharing their experiences. Both public and private procuring organizations are welcome.

Buyer groups

Governments commit to bringing together and supporting ICT procurers within their own country in so-called buyer groups. These groups promote knowledge sharing and a collective market approach. This approach has proven successful in boosting circular procurement success in the Netherlands and Belgium.

The pact further boosts the effectiveness of the buyer groups by supporting knowledge sharing between them and connecting them in an international network. The pact also collects best practices and effective procurement criteria to make things as easy as possible for procurers.

Joining forces

On an international level the pact will support a constructive high level dialogue between procurers and the ICT market. Individually procurers are too small to affect the global ICT industry. The pact makes it possible to bring enough collective demand to the table to help the industry chance. Van Veldhoven: “Only in dialogue with the market can we take ICT from its current niche market into the mainstream. In time this could also make sustainable phones and laptops more readily available to consumers.”

More information in the Circular and Fair ICT Pact and information on how to join the pact can be found on www.CircularAndFairICTPact.com.

Source: Government of the Netherlands

News item | 31-05-2021 | 23:59

The flight ban that expires on 1 June applies to India, South Africa and all countries in Central and South America. Travellers from these countries will still be subject to the EU entry ban after 1 June. This means they may enter the European Union (including the Netherlands) only if they qualify for an exemption.

Quarantine requirement

Travellers from very high risk countries are required to self-quarantine for 10 days on arrival in the Netherlands. This period can be shortened if they test negative after the fifth day. This requirement applies to all modes of transport. Travellers from high-risk ‘orange’ countries must undergo a NAAT (PCR) test, even if they are travelling by car, and are strongly advised to self-quarantine on arrival.

• View the list of very high risk countries.

Travelling from an area where there is a virus variant of concern

Addition to this news report: If you are travelling to the Netherlands from a country where there is a virus variant of concern, you have 2 options:

• You have a negative NAAT (PCR) test result based on a sample collected no more than 24 hours before boarding abroad.
• Or you have the following 2 test results:
  • a negative NAAT (PCR) test result based on a sample collected no more than 72 hours before your arrival in the Netherlands; and
  • a negative rapid test result based on a sample collected no more than 24 hours before boarding abroad.
     

Source: Government of the Netherlands

News item | 26-04-2021 | 13:47

Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management Cora van Nieuwenhuizen introduced the ban at the direction of health minister Hugo de Jonge. Much remains unknown about the Indian mutations. The Dutch government wants to avoid the Netherlands becoming a main point of entry for passengers travelling to the European Union from India. The decision was taken in part at the urgent advice of the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM).

There is already an entry ban in place for non-EU residents. In addition, travellers from high-risk areas are subject to a double test requirement and are strongly advised to self-quarantine upon their arrival in the Netherlands. The ban on passenger flights is an additional precaution. Every week around seven flights from India arrive in the Netherlands. Most passengers on these flights transit through the Netherlands. Dutch nationals in India who are unable to return to the Netherlands are advised to find safe accommodation. There is currently also a ban on passenger flights to the Netherlands from South Africa and from countries in South America. 

Source: Government of the Netherlands

News item | 22-04-2021 | 17:40

Immediately upon his inauguration in January, President Biden stated that the US would once more endorse the Paris climate agreement. US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry announced this during the Climate Adaptation Summit (CAS) in The Hague on 25 and 26 January. Minister Van Nieuwenhuizen, who hosted this conference, co-initiated the Global Commission on Adaptation (GCA) in 2018, with the aim of prioritising the importance of adaptation to climate change on the political agenda.

The Leaders Summit on Climate is focused on, inter alia, gaining momentum on the road to the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow, which is scheduled for November. This is where the new climate plans need to be set down in order to ensure that the Paris agreements remain within reach. In addition, the Summit is garnering attention for the prevention of damage caused by climate change, including sea level rise, especially in vulnerable countries.

Key issues that the Minister will highlight during the session include the plea to bring adaptation funding on a par with mitigation funding, and additional commitment to capacity building and knowledge sharing. She will also go into the role of water, particularly in regions that run the highest risks of being faced with disproportionate consequences of the changing climate.

Minister Van Nieuwenhuizen: ‘Ninety per cent of climate disasters are related to water. Water is a crucial factor in climate adaptation. That is why we must share relevant solutions faster and on a larger scale. That is the only way to change course.’

For that reason, in the build-up to COP26, the Netherlands will join the United Kingdom and the Alliance for Global Water Adaptation to actively make a case for increasing the importance of a focus on water in national adaptation plans.

Following the Climate Adaptation Summit, the Minister’s presence at the Leaders Summit ties in with a series of activities related to the Netherlands’ global commitment to expedite adaptation efforts in the run-up to COP26. Earlier this week, the Minister discussed this with Anne-Marie Trevelyan (UK International Champion on Adaptation and Resilience for the COP26 Presidency). The issue will also be tabled during the Informal Environment Council meeting, where the EU adaptation strategy will be discussed. Bilateral collaboration in the fields of climate adaptation and sustainable mobility will also be enhanced, as was agreed this week in a consultative meeting between the Dutch Minister and her US counterpart, Transportation Secretary Buttigieg.

Source: Government of the Netherlands

News item | 15-04-2021 | 00:01

The circular economy has the potential to account for about 20 percent of the path to achieving the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement. Making the reuse of materials such as plastic mandatory is an important step, says Minister Van Veldhoven. “It should be a matter of course that plastic products are made of recycled plastic. It would be a win-win situation and a tangible example of how the circular economy contributes to achieving the climate goals. We owe it to our children to stop wasting raw materials, and to start reusing materials. Europe is already working on this and I call on other countries to also make recycled materials in production the norm. We should do it for our climate and for a healthy future for us all.”

From plant pots to shampoo bottles

Reusing plastic in new products and packaging has many benefits, starting with the fact that incinerating old plastic and producing new plastic generate CO₂ emissions. Furthermore, the plastic that is recycled and reused will not end up in the environment. And by reusing old plastic, less new plastic needs to be produced. Much new plastic is still made from petroleum so not producing it anymore would also reduce CO₂ emissions.

European proposal

European Union member states are already working towards a setting a mandatory percentage of recycled materials in manufactured products. This proposal – partly thanks to the efforts of the Netherlands – is included in the European Green Deal. The details are currently being worked out for different product groups: food and non-food packaging; the automotive industry; and the construction industry. Van Veldhoven believes that this European initiative should be adopted worldwide. More than 180 Dutch and European companies are leading the way through the Plastic Pact (in Dutch) in which they have pledged that by 2025, 30% of all their new packaging and products will be made of recycled plastic.

Circular economy

The Netherlands is striving to make its economy entirely circular by 2050. The raw materials in the circular economy are continuously reused so that there is no waste. At present, recyclable waste is sometimes incinerated or ends up in landfills. We want this to end completely by 2050. We need to move from a throwaway society to a reuse society that reuses everything from shampoo bottles and office chairs to whole trains. This can be done in several ways, such as smarter design, recycling and reusing. The circular economy avoids environmental pollution and can reduce CO₂ emissions by about 20%. The goal of the World Circular Economy Forum plus climate is to make countries aware of this. The WCEF is an international initiative by the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra and Finland. The next annual forum will be held on 13-15 September in Canada.

Source: Government of the Netherlands

News item | 30-03-2021 | 16:50

Dutch State Secretary Stientje van Veldhoven (Infrastructure and Water Management): ‘Travelling by train is sustainable and comfortable. It is important for us to join forces on a European scale, in the purview of facilitating international train travel for travellers. For every destination up to a distance of 700 kilometres, the train should constitute an affordable and green alternative. Over the past four years, we have made significant strides in this respect: we have a direct train connection to London, the night train to Vienna is ready to go, and the intercity train to Berlin will take half an hour less with effect from 2024. Nonetheless, it is important that we realise more improvements.’

Facilitating the purchase of tickets

Along with Norway and Switzerland, twenty-five EU member states have united in the Platform on International Rail Passenger Transport. At the start of the European Year of Rail, they have produced several recommendations to promote international train travel. Today, State Secretary Stientje van Veldhoven (Infrastructure and Water Management) is presenting these recommendations during the European digital kick-off of the Year of Rail.

For example, booking international train journeys online must become easier. Furthermore, it is important for timetables in member states to be better aligned and for railway tracks to provide sufficient room for international train connections. The German Trans Europe Express 2.0 initiative, an international rail network intended to connect cities in Europe by a combination of high-speed trains and night trains, could play a significant part in this respect. As regards the Netherlands, this initiative is exploring more efficient connections to Berlin, Frankfurt, Brussels, Paris, Barcelona, London, and Copenhagen.

In addition, the member states have welcomed the European Commission’s proposal to launch fifteen pilot projects involving new and innovative train services. These services are intended to be operational by 2030. The final recommendation of the member states advocates closer collaboration in setting down contracts regarding international train connections.

Ambassador

To underscore the importance of the European Year of Rail, State Secretary Van Veldhoven has appointed former member of the European Parliament Wim van de Camp as an Ambassador. He will be representing the Netherlands at several meetings.

Wim van de Camp (European Year of Rail Ambassador): ‘Great opportunities exist for the European railway sector. Rail transport now accounts for only 7 per cent of travellers and 11 per cent of freight in Europe, whereas it constitutes one of the most sustainable modes of transport. On behalf of the Netherlands, I am firmly committed to promoting this goal this year.’

Because of the Covid-19 situation, many of the meetings will be held online. By the end of the European Year of Rail, the Netherlands intends to organise a railway summit on international passenger traffic, along with Germany, Belgium and Luxembourg.