CEO Roundtable:
Clean Industrial Deal
Signify and UN Global Compact Netherlands bring together Dutch industry and government around the European Clean Industrial Deal.
By UN Global Compact NL
16.10.2025, 07:05
Leusden, 16 October 2025 – Yesterday, a CEO roundtable took place in Leusden, organized by the Dutch network of UN Global Compact and Signify.
Representatives from various Dutch companies, ministries, and European institutions engaged in dialogue about the impact of the European Clean Industrial Deal (CID) on Dutch industry. The meeting was held in the lead-up to the elections and the publication of revised European directives. It marked an important moment in the conversation about the future of Dutch industry, where competitiveness and sustainability can reinforce one another.
During the session, business leaders shared their views and concerns about the new EU policy, highlighting that both regulatory pressure and ambition seem to be declining. In dialogue with policymakers, they explored how streamlined regulations and targeted investments could help build a more sustainable and competitive industrial sector in the Netherlands.
The conversation centered on future-proofing the Dutch economy and what steps are needed in Brussels, The Hague, and across the private sector to strengthen the Netherlands’ position in a lasting way.
Key Messages
> Shared ambition across Europe, government, and business: Accelerating the transition requires collaboration, predictable regulations, and smart market creation. This is the only way to keep the European economy competitive, inclusive, and sustainable - where prosperity and climate go hand in hand.
> Sustainability as a driver of European growth and independence: Companies view sustainability not as a burden, but as an opportunity for innovation, competitiveness, and long-term value creation despite recent regulatory setbacks in Europe and the United States. Legislation must ensure a level playing field, for example by tightening the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) so imported goods meet the same sustainability standards as European products.
> The need for stable rules: Predictable, ambitious, and practical regulations provide certainty and scale for entrepreneurs, and are essential to accelerate investment and market adoption. At the same time, EU and national regulations can be simplified in line with international UN and OECD guidelines.
> Creating demand through smarter procurement: Government plays a key role in stimulating the market through public-private partnerships, clear demand signals, and innovative procurement practices.
> Investing in people, knowledge, and innovation: The energy transition requires skilled professionals, new capabilities, and cross-sector knowledge sharing. The European Commission can support this by investing more in skills, innovation, and cross-border collaboration.
> Unlocking the potential of energy efficiency: Businesses and government can immediately reduce CO₂ emissions, cut costs, and lower energy dependence. Speak the language of consumers focus on saving money and increasing comfort.
Background: Clean Industrial Deal (CID)
The Clean Industrial Deal builds on the earlier European Green Deal (2019), which set the EU’s goal of becoming a climate-neutral, sustainable, and competitive economy by 2050. In the coming period, several new EU regulations will be introduced alongside the Omnibus, including the Decarbonisation Accelerator Act designed to further speed up the shift to low-carbon production. Next year, the Circular Economy Act and the revision of the EU Public Procurement Framework will follow, both aimed at supporting circular and sustainable production and procurement practices.
Quotes
“Sustainability isn’t a brake on our economy, it’s a driver of growth and autonomy. Energy efficiency deserves more attention: accelerating the switch to LED lighting saves enough energy to power millions of electric cars and heat pumps, and helps reduce grid congestion. Clear government targets are essential to stimulate demand and boost European industry.” - Hellen van der Plas, President, Signify Netherlands
“The Clean Industrial Deal is an opportunity to reduce Europe’s dependency, accelerate electrification, and unlock new economic opportunities. The Netherlands is right to ask for a solid and feasible plan. In addition to electrification, we need to focus more on biogas, sustainable hydrogen, CO₂ storage, and renewable heat. That’s how we build a growth model - supported by bank financing - that enables the transition of Dutch industry.” - Peter Jacobs, CEO, ING Netherlands
“True sustainability looks beyond today. It means investing in a future where industrial growth and care for future generations go hand in hand.” - Lucas Lammers, CEO, Royal LC Packaging International
“Transition and speed are often at odds. Realizing energy transition projects takes more time than conventional ones. Technical innovation, legal uncertainties, and new forms of collaboration and financing extend the feasibility phase while acceleration is exactly what’s needed. It would help if governments were willing to grant permits based on general outlines, with details to follow later.” - Marije Hulshof, CEO, Haskoning
“Limited capacity on the electricity grid poses a serious threat, not only to the energy transition, but also to the competitiveness of our industry in the Netherlands and Europe. Large-scale national infrastructure projects still take too long. Member states, grid operators, and industry must learn from each other to resolve bottlenecks faster. At the same time, we call on the European Commission to facilitate these conversations, remove barriers, and speed up permitting procedures.” - Manon van Beek, CEO, TenneT
“Sustainability pays off!” - Pelle van Walraven, Co-CEO Walraven
“Companies seeking resilience in times of change should conduct a thorough materiality analysis as a foundation for strategic development.” - Griet Cattaert, UN Global Compact
Practical Information
Participants:
Hellen van der Plas, President, Signify Nederland
Marije Hulshof, CEO, Haskoning
Lucas Lammers, CEO, LC Packaging
Pelle van Walraven, Co-CEO, Walraven
Manon van Beek,CEO, TenneT
Peter Jacobs, CEO, ING Nederland
Han te Broeke, Chief of Cabinet to European Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra, European Commission
Brigitte van den Berg, Member of the European Parliament for D66 and Renew Europe, European Parliament
Sandor Gaastra, Secretary-General, Ministry of Economic Affairs
Christiaan Rebergen, Secretary-General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Marieke Begthel-Spijkerboer, Director of Sustainable Living Environment and Circular Economy, Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management
Griet Cattaert, Regional Director West-Europe and North America, UN Global Compact
Willemien Bosch, Director of Policy, VNO-NCW & MKB-Nederland
Merei Wagenaar, Executive Director, UN Global Compact Network Netherlands
Media:
Access all pictures from the roundtable here
For press inquiries, please contact:
Leonine Brunink - brunink@unglobalcompact.nl
Conny Degen - conny.degen@signify.com
About the UN Global Compact
The UN Global Compact is the world’s largest initiative for sustainable business, with over 20,000 companies and 3,800 non-commercial organizations across more than 160 countries. It mobilizes businesses to act responsibly in line with ten universal principles and to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). More than 65 national networks provide support and foster collaboration at the local level.
UN Global Compact Netherlands, based in The Hague, supports Dutch companies in achieving their sustainability goals. The network promotes collaboration and offers a wide range of programs, trainings, and events that help build a future-proof economy.
About Signify
Signify (Euronext: LIGHT) is the global leader in lighting solutions for professionals, consumers, and the Internet of Things. Its Philips products, Interact systems, and data-driven services deliver significant business value and enhance lives in homes, buildings, and public spaces.
With revenues of EUR 6.1 billion in 2024, approximately 29,000 employees, and operations in over 70 countries, Signify harnesses the extraordinary potential of light to improve lives and build a more sustainable world. Since its IPO, the company has been listed on the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index for eight consecutive years and has earned the EcoVadis Platinum rating five years in a row placing Signify among the top one percent of rated companies worldwide.