Minister Karremans Responds to Sneller on Innovation and Steward-Owned Enterprises
The Hague, Tuesday, 24 June 2025.
Minister of Economic Affairs, Vincent Karremans, outlines a mission-driven policy promoting collaboration between businesses and the government to foster sustainable economic growth in response to Sneller’s questions.
Ministerial Focus on Green Innovation
Vincent Karremans, the Dutch Minister of Economic Affairs, has articulated a comprehensive engagement strategy with business enterprises to stimulate sustainable innovation. This initiative comes in response to queries posed by Joost Sneller, a member of the D66 political party. The strategy emphasizes steward-owned entrepreneurship, which entails businesses that balance profit with societal contributions, particularly in sustainability and climate mitigation efforts [1].
Collaborative Frameworks for Economic Growth
The mission-driven policy is designed to foster a synergistic environment where businesses, knowledge institutions, and government entities collaborate closely. This collaboration aims to forge innovative solutions that tackle environmental challenges while also aiming to spur economic growth [1]. Such frameworks are part of the Government’s broader objectives to align its industrial growth with ecological sustainability.
Enhancing Technological Innovation
To promote these goals, the Netherlands intends to support technological advancements that contribute to green innovation. These innovations include energy-efficient processes and renewable energy solutions [2]. By fostering such technologies, the policy underscores the importance of adopting innovative practices to meet the nation’s climate objectives.
Global Context and Local Impacts
In a global context, climate change significantly influences governmental policies. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) warns of increased droughts driven by climate change, urging nations to develop climate-resilient practices [GPT]. The Netherlands’ policy, as articulated by Minister Karremans, represents a meaningful step towards integrating such resilience into national policies [3].