Sustainability: citizens don't want to do it all by themselves

The Dutch are prepared to invest effort and money in making the earth more sustainable, but a majority believes that the business community and the government should take the lead in making the Netherlands more sustainable. This is clear from the second quarter of the ABN AMRO Sustainability Monitor.  

The Dutch indicate that they can play a pioneering role as consumers, particularly in the areas of food, clothing and recreation. However, they are looking to the government for information on mobility, energy and housing.

Wasting less food and following the seasons

Approximately one in three Dutch people see themselves as the party that can ensure sustainability in the field of food. Throw away as little food as possible, buy as many seasonal fruits and vegetables as possible and consciously refrain from eating meat. The consumer is the biggest food waste, with about 50 kilograms per year per consumer. In the Netherlands and the EU, citizens waste more than farmers, food processors, supermarkets and restaurants put together.

In addition, about one-fifth of those questioned point to the business community as the party that can ensure sustainability in the field of food. Food chains are long and complex and it is not always clear to consumers where the ingredients of products come from and how sustainable these products are. Citizens benefit from clarity and transparency on the part of companies, so that they can make an informed choice.

Second life for worn clothing

In the area of clothing, consumers indicate that they ensure that clothing is used for a long time and that clothing is given a second life by selling it, exchanging it or giving it away to a good cause. However, buying fairly produced clothing is less popular, probably because it is more expensive.

Greener hotels and flight shame

Three out of ten citizens look to themselves when it comes to more sustainable recreation. They see themselves as having the most important role to play in achieving sustainability in this area. A third takes sustainability into account when determining the holiday destination, and 28 per cent already pay full or partial attention to the sustainability characteristics of the holiday accommodation when booking. This has also become easier, as booking sites increasingly explicitly state how sustainable a hotel is. 

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