The Dutch business community expects to accelerate sustainability this year and to increase investments in sustainability measures. For instance, a majority wants to get rid of gas with their companies as soon as possible.

This is according to ING's annual survey of 250 managers of companies with 50 to 1,000 employees. The findings run counter to the flood of reports of companies actually delaying, postponing or moving investments abroad.

‘It seems contrary to the trend, but actually we are back to 2022 and 2023 levels with the figures,” said Laurens de Vos, director of business banking at ING Netherlands. , ”Last year, uncertainty caused a dip in investment demand among Dutch companies. At that time, it was not yet known what kind of cabinet was coming and how wage cost developments and inflation would be. That uncertainty is disastrous for investments." Business managers now want to accelerate their sustainability efforts, as they believe energy costs remain structurally high. While 9% says it is already off gas, 1% wants to do so this year and 26% by 2026, In addition, 26% states it wants to get off gas if there is enough space on the power grid. Only 15% of business managers still do not want to go off gas. That was more than a quarter last year.

Two-thirds of managers say investments in sustainability benefit company profits. De Vos says ING also notices a clear increase in financing demand for sustainability investments. In doing so, however, companies are often driven by laws and regulations.

Consistent government policy and grants are important, managers say in chorus.

Source: Telegraph