Dutch digital sector must be more sustainable

18 October 2022, the National Coalition for Sustainable Digitalisation (NCDD) presented a manifesto to Minister Adriaanse of Economic Affairs and Climate. The coalition calls on the government for a comprehensive approach to make data and digital technologies in the Netherlands more sustainable. 

Green power and recycling

"The Netherlands is well on its way in terms of sustainable digitalisation," says Eske van Egerschot-Montoya Martinez, quartermaster of the NCDD. "The sector is buying almost entirely green power, it is looking at reusing heat and recycling hardware."

Guidance is missing

But if the Netherlands wants to maintain this position, a broader plan is needed. Currently, there is 'inconsistent and fragmented government policy, a lack of figures, inadequate legislation, fragmented knowledge development and innovation, and a lack of a fair European playing field,' the NCDD observes. The coalition comes up with recommendations to solve these bottlenecks. For instance, the NCDD calls for ownership by one ministry and knowledge and innovation should be easily accessible. The coalition also wants laws and regulations to be amended so that the sustainable choice becomes the obvious one.

Change.inc

The NCDD consists of over 70 organisations working with government, business, knowledge institutions and residents from across the Netherlands to advocate for a roadmap to promote sustainability in the digital sector.