According to De Knegt, the Port Authority encourages the parties it works with to quickly make the transition to sustainability. However, long-term contracts with parties such as Shell, for example, are an obstacle in this regard. Because these contracts run for several years, it is sometimes difficult to make a quick transition to sustainability. ‘But the most important thing is that sustainability must ultimately be ingrained in companies’ DNA in order to bring about change. And at the Port Authority, sustainability is not only number one, but also number two, three, four and five.’
Roep sees that sustainability is high on the Port Authority's agenda. And BNG Bank shares that ambition. At the same time, both Roep and De Knegt note that the transition to sustainability is often still too slow. Nevertheless, both parties are optimistic about the future. ‘But it is more important than ever that, in today’s polarised society, we focus more on the similarities rather than the differences,’ says De Knegt.
Curious about what else is important to BNG and the Port of Rotterdam Authority? Listen to the entire episode of the BNG podcast ‘Meerwaarde aan Tafel’ (Added Value at the Table): A sustainable dream in a fossil fuel reality.
