After a dazzling and thorough introduction in the world’s climate change, policy officers from the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs got the opportunity to enter into a dialogue with Marcel Beukeboom, the Dutch Climate Envoy.

The participants’ view of the government’s role in the transition to a climate friendly and sustainable society

Marcel Beukeboom has been the Climate Envoy since November 2016 and was very interested in hearing the participants' view on sustainability. For example, should the government have a steering role in convincing the population to change to a different diet, or should it merely focus on raising awareness? 

Other topics of discussion were the cooperation with other frameworks like the Sustainable Development Goals, as well as the national implementation of both Agenda 2030 and the Paris Agreement on climate change. The latter resulted in an interesting debate about how one should deal with possible conflicting interests like those sometimes related to energy on the one hand and climate on the other.

The Clingendael International Sustainability Centre (CISC)

This discussion took place only a few days before the launch of the Clingendael International Sustainability Centre (CISC). CISC aims to connect existing Clingendael expertise on international and European (policy) discussions and processes explicitly to the realm of sustainability. In addition, the CISC discusses the transition towards a circular and climate neutral economy.

Training policy officers from DG Agro and Nature from the Ministry of Economic Affairs in International Policy

During 6 months and 6 modules participants of this training are taught the necessary skills and knowledge to work in the international field of agriculture and the environment, starting with the broad overview of current international developments related to the climate.

Interested in knowing more about what Clingendael can do for you on sustainability?

Please contact Anneke Rooth, Training & Research Fellow, Clingendael Academy.