Since 2022, the government has been working intensively with companies to accelerate sustainable investments and improve the living environment. The focus is on the largest industrial CO₂ emitters. They are challenged to become more sustainable than legally required, with extra attention to reducing nitrogen emissions. The plans must be concrete and executable.

The tailored approach has already yielded much, but execution can sometimes be complex and time-consuming. Therefore, the cabinet chooses realism: the focus will be on companies with ambitious, concrete, and achievable plans that ensure additional CO₂ reduction towards 2030.

So far, thirteen companies have signed a letter of intent (Expression of Principles). Companies such as Tata Steel Netherlands, AnQore, Alco Energy Rotterdam, Zeeland Refinery, and possibly OCI are working on the next step: the Joint Letter of Intent (JLoI). A JLoI has been signed with Cosun, and with Nobian, a binding tailored agreement has been reached first.

Not all companies can fully translate their ambitions into concrete projects yet, due to challenging market conditions or uncertainty about prerequisites.

The companies are at different stages of the tailored process. Some examples:

• Nobian has closed a binding agreement to accelerate its climate goals by ten years to nearly 0 CO2 emissions by 2030.
• Yara has received a tailored subsidy for a CCS project that will lead to a reduction of 0.8 Mton of CO2 emissions per year starting in 2026.
• For AnQores plans to significantly reduce nitrous oxide emissions, a recent advisory request has been submitted to the Advisory Committee on Tailored Agreements for Industrial Sustainability.
• Tata Steel Netherlands is working with the government on the development of the Green Steel plan.
• Dow was working on plans for significant CO₂ reduction, but due to legal obstacles and deteriorating market conditions, the process is currently on hold.

Minister Sophie Hermans (Climate and Green Growth): “The sustainability of our industry is and remains a strategic priority. In an uncertain world, we want an industry that is competitive and sustainable. The tailored approach offers realistic, customized solutions that allow companies to make green investments. We will continue with companies that have concrete and achievable plans. Not all companies can meet their 2030 ambitions with the tailored approach. I find it important to continue providing space for support for complex sustainability projects. This way, we build a future-proof industry – crucial for the independence of the Netherlands.”

State Secretary Thierry Aartsen (Public Transport and Environment): “With the tailored approach, we encourage companies in the Netherlands to become more sustainable, ensure climate action, and work towards a healthy balance between industry, residents, and the environment. This is important because this way we make the industry future-proof, with sufficient attention to the living environment and thus to the health of residents. With this dual approach, the Dutch industry is sustainably strengthened, and the living environment around the industry is further improved.”

Not all companies can realize their climate ambitions for 2030 yet, due to market conditions, international competition, or legal obstacles. For these companies, the current tailored approach does not provide a solution at this time. However, they are not excluded: we continue to engage with these companies to see if we can support complex projects that contribute to long-term climate neutrality.

Sustainability remains the only route for the Dutch industry to remain future-proof and competitive within Europe. Therefore, the cabinet continues to focus on CO₂ reduction, nitrogen emission reduction, innovation, and an attractive investment climate.