news - Private sector and government take big step towards a sustainable economy

What is the economic damage of the cutting of primeval forest? How much is clean air worth, measured in euros?

A group of 13 large Dutch companies, ngo’s and the government want to make it visible how big the impact is on and the interdependence of nature, environment and the health of people. This offers opportunities to upscale the transition towards a sustainable, green economy.

During the Natuurtop in Herwijnen, PwC and FMO (amongst others) signed an agreement to work towards expressing natural and social costs in hard currency or make these visible otherwise. The statement is an initiative of IUCN NL, MVO Nederland, True Price and the Ministry of Economic Affairs.  Experts consider this, in general, as an important step forward towards a sustainable, green economy.

Up till now the damages to the natural and social capital are not visible in the results of companies or in the activities of governments. By neglecting these costs, the society as a whole has to pay the price. The signers of the agreement want to end this situation. With this step the companies and government are ahead of EU-legislation for non-financial reporting that was announced recently.

By making the impact of business management on people and nature visible in (annual) reports, it better reflects the true performances of companies and governments. Ultimately this can also lead to adjusting the pricing of commodities, products and services. In this way, the Netherlands can show their leadership and enhance its global position. The parties involved want to present an action program at the end of 2013 with a minimum duration of 2 years where they align various current (inter)national initiatives, share and develop knowledge and take new initiatives together.