Mike Zwart, NedZero industry association director: ‘Qualitative criteria fuel sustainability’

"The wind energy sector plays an important role in the energy transition. Wind energy is needed in order to meet the climate targets. On land, but especially at sea. In the last ten years, about 5 gigawatts of offshore wind energy has been realised; in the next 8 years this will increase to 21 gigawatts and eventually to 72 gigawatts. This can also make industry sustainable, although it remains to be seen how this will be done, through electrification or by means of hydrogen.

Our industry association was the initiator of the Agreement. As an industry, our aim is not only to contribute to the energy transition, but also to sustainability. So, we have to think about where our raw materials come from, how they are extracted, what the working conditions are and how the environmental aspects are dealt with. I have the impression that many of our members have an intrinsic motivation to take action against abuses. At the same time, the RBC legislation is also becoming more and more important and more compelling. A company that does not comply with sustainability requirements is at great risk. You are putting the continuity of your business at stake. At some point, you will be sidelined.

The government has sent out an important signal by making qualitative criteria a substantial factor in the awarding of offshore wind farms. This was and is an incentive for companies to join the Agreement. It is to be hoped that the government will continue to use these non-price criteria in the tendering system as an important weighting factor in addition to the price. This will help to ensure that companies do not compete on price at the expense of sustainability. This is what we are discussing with the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy. Let us keep what has worked well in the past. Non-price criteria are driving sustainability thinking.

Half of the participants in the Agreement are companies in the wind energy sector. We organise an annual Wind Day where we present ourselves as a sector, share knowledge and information and strengthen networks. We drew attention to the Agreement there last year. That is bound to have attracted a number of new signatories. In fact, all wind energy companies should become members. Firstly, because it is important to share knowledge on Responsible Business Conduct. In this way, companies can strengthen each other and achieve far more together. Secondly, because it is important as a sector to be transparent about where raw materials and semi-finished products come from. If you know your chain, you can do a better job of analysing risks and managing them.

The due diligence assessment framework developed in the first year of the Agreement will clarify where the sector stands in terms of transparency and traceability. Based on this, priorities can be set for the second year of the Agreement. What are the biggest risks, where are they most prevalent and how can they be addressed? The renewable energy sector is still a very young sector. I'm hoping that this will make it easier for the sector and for companies to take steps towards becoming sustainable. The SER secretariat has a great role to play here as a catalyst, organising working groups and knowledge sessions, and helping to develop tools. This will make sure that everyone gets moving."