The unrest in the Gulf region once again serves as a wake-up call. Our energy supply is highly dependent on an unpredictable external environment. Sustainability is the key driving force for greater resilience, increased independence and a healthy, competitive business sector.

Authoritative reports such as those by Mario Draghi and Peter Wennink also address this issue. Greening the economy is essential for our future prosperity.

At the opening of the new edition of the NEF, Kees Vendrik, Chair of the National Climate Platform, will reflect on this theme. The strong examples from Northern Netherlands provide valuable inspiration for seizing the opportunities ahead. Local initiatives such as Nij Begun, a new cabinet that takes sustainability more seriously, and growing European efforts to stand on our own feet all present clear opportunities.

A key underlying theme is that society holds a great deal of implementation capacity ‘from van onderop ’ — including in Northern Netherlands. By making better use of this capacity, we can accelerate the energy transition.

This session will be held in Dutch.