Author: Kees de Gooijer | Chief Inspiration Officer for TKI Agri&Food and TKI-BBE
Innovation is also communication. We want to inspire entrepreneurs and share successes from the top sectors. For the Top Sector Energy, an article about bio raw materials (nice, fresh term) seemed useful and topical. We prefer to let an entrepreneur speak about what drives him/her and how he/she sees and seizes opportunities. Unfortunately that didn't work.
Even though the intended entrepreneur has developed a proven sustainable invention that is economically viable, he fears non-governmental reprisals in response to publicity: “As a sustainable entrepreneur, I cannot compete against the business model that is based on fear.” Unfortunately, his response is exemplary in the bio-raw materials sector. Many entrepreneurs no longer see the Netherlands as a market, but look for opportunities across the border.
This, by the way, also after the SER advice Biomass in Balance, which advocates high-quality use of bio raw materials to achieve a sustainable society. The IPCC and the IEA also agree: bio raw materials are necessary in a sustainable circular economy.
Notorious opponents believe they are saviors of the planet. With the mantra “we don't want to burn whole trees” they get politicians on board and use the pluralis majestatis: “we are going to intervene.”
In such a social climate, it is understandable that many CEOs (usually from marketing) are scratching their heads. This should provide space for fearless SMEs, but there too doubts arise: Do we want to keep our business here?
It is the entrepreneurs who create the jobs. If we lose them, the exercise is over. End result: The Netherlands will become an importer of end products and no new jobs. And the climate? That depends, as often happens, on the last mem.
Click here for the original article
