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100 CEOs: choose the economy of the future

It is time for a sustainable economy from which the Netherlands earns. CEOs of Royal Swinkels, Profile, Zeeman, Renewi and 96 other Dutch companies, among others, are calling on the forming parties to opt for the economy of the future. They are doing this at the initiative of platform sustainable entrepreneurship Future Up, the former MVO Netherlands. "These 100 CEOs endorse that only sustainability gives a future to both the Netherlands and their own companies," said Ankie van Wersch, director-director of Future Up.

The companies under the accompanying Future Up manifesto represent a combined turnover of 30 billion euros and more than 100,000 employees. Together, they call on the forming parties to make structural investments in an economy that is competitive, sustainable and social. According to the CEOs, this is only possible by choosing and investing in sustainability.

"Too often it still seems as if the business community does not want to become more sustainable, because of perceived costs or regulatory pressure. But this plea shows that a substantial number of companies do want to," says Van Wersch. "And no wonder: research by climate data firm CDP shows that investing 1 euro in sustainability already saves 46 euros in future losses or costs. So the call comes not from idealism or green ambition, but from common sense. These CEOs are emphatically choosing the future and not clinging to the past."

Signatories to the Future Up manifesto come from sectors such as retail, chemicals, agrifood, textiles and services. The CEOs of companies such as Mediq, Strukton, RAI Amsterdam, Seepje, The Good Roll and ASN Bank are also signing the manifesto.

Van Wersch: "The 100 companies want to invest in sustainable growth, jobs and innovation. Too often, they still suffer from rules in favour of companies in the old economy. For instance, subsidies still go to fossil companies, while innovative, sustainable start-ups find it difficult to get capital for scaling up. Only if the government helps build an economy in which sustainable business is the norm can Dutch business remain internationally competitive."

Read the entire manifesto.