BHOS-beleidsnota
Reactie
| Naam | Anoniem |
|---|---|
| Plaats | Zeist |
| Datum | 14 april 2022 |
Vraag1
(see english below)Nexus (samenhang) Ontwikkelingssamenwerking & Buitenlandse Handel
Het Nederlandse bedrijfsleven kan door middel van handel, investeringen en marktkracht een belangrijke rol spelen bij een aantal van de grote wereldwijde uitdagingen van deze tijd. Om de Nederlandse inzet richting het bedrijfsleven een focus mee te geven wordt gekozen voor een focus op de “twin-transities”; de digitale transitie (via onder meer artificiële intelligentie) en de verduurzamingtransitie. Deze twin-transities op digitale innovatie en verduurzaming zullen de komende jaren een grote rol spelen om de Parijs en Glasgow-doelen voor klimaat te halen. Die doelen moeten we in Nederland halen, maar ook wereldwijd. Hoewel er een grote behoefte is aan Nederlandse expertise en investeringen, zien we dat meer nodig kan zijn om het Nederlandse bedrijven te betrekken bij deze transities in (lage en) midden-inkomenslanden.
1. Hoe kan het Nederlandse bedrijfsleven meer betrokken worden bij de twin-transitie in (lage en) midden-inkomenslanden?
(EN)
Nexus between development cooperation and foreign trade
Through their trade, investment and market position, Dutch businesses can play a key role in tackling some of the major challenges facing the world today. The focus of Dutch policy vis-a-vis the private sector will be on the 'twin transitions' of digitalisation (including artificial intelligence) and sustainability – both of which will be key to achieving the Paris and Glasgow climate goals in the years ahead. We must achieve these goals not only in the Netherlands, but across the world as a whole. While Dutch expertise and investment funding are in great demand, we also see that more may be needed when it comes to getting Dutch companies involved in these transitions in low- and middle-income countries.
1. How can we increase the involvement of Dutch companies in the twin transitions in low- and middle-income countries?
The Netherlands can play an unique role and show thought leadership on the development and implementation of Nature based Solutions (NbS) within the Netherlands and across our borders. Nature based solutions are defined as: “Ecosystem conservation, management and/or restoration interventions intentionally planned to deliver measurable positive climate adaptation and /or mitigation benefits that have human development and biodiversity co-benefits managing anticipated climate risks to nature that can undermine their long-term effectiveness.” NbS are based on inclusive, transparent and empowering governance processes that recognizes the importance of cultural practices and land uses and Free Prior and Informed Consent Co-designed and co-implemented with IPLC.
In March 2022 at the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA), governments formally recognised the important role that NbS can play in the global response to climate change. The Netherlands has the knowledge on and experience on NbS. The Dutch government can choose to prominent advocate for NbS globally and use the track record of Dutch companies to showcase it and disseminate knowledge.
For instance, the Dutch agri-sector has expertise on agroecological co-innovation in large-scale agriculture. This can be seen at the Farm of the Future. The Dutch water sector already has years of experience on ‘building with nature’ by implementing nature-based solutions for water management. The Dutch financial sector is a frontrunner in green finance, and can be supported by the Dutch government in joining these initiatives to collectively reach a sustainable transition. (More details in the answer on question 5)
Vraag2
Nederland kent een lange traditie van publieke private samenwerking. Nu de mondiale uitdagingen steeds groter worden, is het van belang deze publiek-private samenwerkingen te verdiepen en te versnellen. De duurzame ontwikkelingsdoelen zijn in 2015 vastgesteld als actieplan voor overheden, bedrijven, kennisinstellingen en burgers om duurzame ontwikkeling te verwezenlijken wereldwijd.2. Hoe kunnen overheid, bedrijfsleven en kennisinstellingen beter samenwerken om de duurzame ontwikkelingsdoelen te halen?
(EN)
The Netherlands has a long tradition of public-private partnership. As the global challenges grow ever bigger, it is important to deepen and accelerate these partnerships. The Sustainable Development Goals were presented in 2015 as a plan of action for governments, companies, knowledge institutions and private individuals to achieve sustainable development worldwide.
2. How can government, the private sector and knowledge institutions work together better to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals?
A common overarching or crosscutting theme within all the SDG’s is an inclusive landscape approach by using nature based solutions. A clear choice and ambition by the Dutch government on such a common theme can make the cooperation more focused, efficient and resilient. Keep the central role of the SDGs in Dutch foreign trade and development cooperation policy. Improve this role by expanding the use of the ‘SDG-toets’. Government-wide policy coherence for sustainable development worldwide will only enhance the credibility of the Netherlands as a trading country and advocate of human rights.
Healthy ecosystems are the basis of resilient communities and economies. Therefore we need to mainstream biodiversity in our policies. If we ignore this we risk investing in solutions that are not positive for people, and in fact, are negative. Thus: we risk system lock-ins if we do not soonest invest in maintaining a healthy ecosystem and specifically Nature based Solutions. These types of lock-ins also exist in the food systems and that's why it is acknowledged that a fundamental system change is needed towards nature positive food production at scale. Adopting the HLPE principles and 10 elements of Agroecology from FAO is crucial to enhance the development and implementation of agroecological practices worldwide.
Next to government, business and knowledge institutions a strong civil society is pivotal in each approach. Civil society is the driver, and touchstone of the transition to a sustainable and just world. Therefore the Dutch government should prolong and expand capacity building of civil society organizations in the Strategic Partnerships. Because a strong civil society is of great importance and also a Dutch responsibility in countries where the Dutch economy has a large ecological footprint/impact.
A strong civil society represents the voice of citizens towards their governments and large companies, encouraging them to act sustainably and responsibly through both encouragement and opposition. Especially in emerging economies where increasing inequality is counteracting inclusive development. Also at regional and global level, involving citizens and making their voices heard is essential for the success of the processes that take place there; for example when it comes to managing global public goods or making international production chains more sustainable.
Vraag3
Nederland heeft sinds 2016 een actieplan beleidscoherentie voor ontwikkeling. Beleidscoherentie voor ontwikkeling heeft als doel om in niet-hulp (OS) beleid schade voor ontwikkelingslanden te verminderen en synergiën en samenwerking te versterken. Het Nederlandse actieplan is in 2018 herzien en geeft een overzicht van vijf Nederlandse beleidsthema’s die een invloed hebben op de ontwikkelingskansen in ontwikkelingslanden. Deze thema’s zijn: (1) het tegengaan van belastingontwijking/ontduiking, (2) ontwikkelingsvriendelijke handelsakkoorden, (3) een ontwikkelingsvriendelijk investeringsregime, (4) verduurzaming van productie en handel en (5) het tegengaan van klimaatverandering.3. Hoe kan de bovengenoemde Nederlandse inzet op beleidscoherentie voor ontwikkeling verder versterkt of verbeterd worden?
(EN)
The Netherlands has had an action plan on policy coherence for development since 2016. The aim of policy coherence is to reduce the negative effects on developing countries caused by policies in areas other than development, and to strengthen synergies and cooperation. The action plan, which was revised in 2018, identifies five Dutch policy themes that can enhance developing countries’ opportunities for development: (1) combating tax avoidance/evasion, (2) development-friendly trade agreements, (3) a development-friendly investment regime, (4) more sustainable production and trade, and (5) combating climate change.
3. How can the Netherlands’ efforts to achieve policy coherence for development be further strengthened or enhanced?
We need a proper recognition of Nature based Solutions as being solutions to societal challenges. There are many good examples of NbS and we should discuss the upscaling of those. Nature based Solutions are often (long-term) cost-effective no-regret measures. By applying NbS in food, water and energy projects the transition to sustainable economies can become nature positive and socially more robust. (see also question 2)
Until now Nature based Solutions are too little part of the solution. As little as 1.5% of all public international climate finance has gone to support NbS for adaptation in developing countries; with only 10% reaching the local levels. Obstacles to spending funding also exist due to the lack of an advanced pipeline of projects on the ground as well as low levels of disbursements from committed amounts.
For instance, every $1 invested in NbS can yield $10 of benefits, while the total lifecycle cost of infrastructure is significantly reduced. However, too many of these types of solutions are still at the pilot stage. They need to be expanded and routinely incorporated into the planning, design, and implementation of projects.
There is a disconnect between a growing bottom-up movement where people themselves come forward with Nature based Solutions (from Indigenous Peoples in the Amazon to urban areas in Asia) and top-down governance that is not recognizing these solutions. While citizens and civil society must be centerstage in climate transitions. They are agents of change within societies and key advocates for inclusive solutions.
Vraag4
Buitenlandse HandelInternationale handel en investeringen zijn van groot belang voor de Nederlandse welvaart en werkgelegenheid. De Nederlandse welvaart wordt voor een derde verdiend door internationale handel en een derde van onze banen zijn verbonden aan internationale handel. Onze internationale concurrentiepositie is onderhevig aan de “twin-transities” (digitalisering/innovatie en klimaat/duurzaamheid) en verschuivende geopolitieke verhoudingen. Het is voor Nederland van groot belang om het verdienvermogen te versterken nu en in de toekomst.
Strategisch en duurzaam handelsbeleid
In anticipatie op de geopolitieke en transitie-ontwikkelingen sturen ook buitenlandse staten sterker op hun nationale en internationale beleid. Zo passen staten in toenemende mate assertievere economische diplomatie toe en zetten zij economische machtsinstrumenten in om hun internationale doelen na te jagen. Nederland kan hierin niet achter blijven. De verwevenheid van ons land met de rest van de wereld is groter en kwetsbaarder dan ooit. Als onderdeel van een samenhangend buitenland beleid, zal Nederland zich toeleggen op een strategisch en duurzaam handelsbeleid.
4. Hoe kan de overheid het duurzame verdienvermogen van Nederlandse bedrijven in het buitenland versterken?
Foreign trade
International trade and investment are crucial to prosperity and jobs in the Netherlands. International trade accounts for a third of our national income and is linked to a third of our jobs. But our international competitiveness faces risks posed by the twin transitions (digitalisation/innovation and climate/sustainability) and the shifting geopolitical balance of power. It is therefore vital for the Netherlands to strengthen its earning capacity, both now and in the future.
Strategic and sustainable trade policy
Other states are also anticipating the above-mentioned transitions and geopolitical shifts, and are adjusting their national and international policies accordingly, for instance by pursuing their international objectives through more aggressive economic diplomacy and the use of economic instruments of power. The Netherlands cannot afford to fall behind. Our country’s interconnections with the rest of the world are both greater and more fragile than ever. The Netherlands will therefore focus on strategic and sustainable trade policy as part of its coherent foreign policy.
4. How can the government strengthen Dutch companies’ sustainable earning capacity abroad?
Invest in resilience of landscapes and their societies and ecosystems. Make use of nature based solutions (which are no-regret measures) to achieve this resilience. As storms, droughts and heat waves become more frequent and severe, natural systems that provide the essential inputs to sustain production and ensure business continuity face ever-increasing threats. Societies must now ensure they are not only sustainable, but also “resilient” -- that is able to withstand, recover from, and adapt to changes in weather and climate. The landscape approach provides a holistic framework to successfully boost resilience of a society, food security and supply chains. WWF broadly defines climate resilience as: the ability of a social-ecological system to absorb and recover from climate- related shocks and disturbances and maintain functionality and services by adapting to chronic climate stressors, and transform when necessary. The most resilient economic systems combine robust infrastructure, flexible institutions and functioning natural capital. See our comments on NbS in previous questions as well.
Vraag5
Thema’s en sectoren van de toekomstNu de wereld in transitie is om een goede toekomst voor ons en de generaties na ons te bewerkstelligen verandert de focus van bedrijven, overheid en kennisinstellingen.
5. Op welke thema’s of sectoren ziet u kansen om internationaal te ondernemen?
(EN)
Themes and sectors of the future
The focus of companies, governments and knowledge institutions is changing in light of the global transition to ensure a bright future for current and future generations.
5. In which themes or sectors do you see opportunities for international enterprise?
Include the Dutch financial sector in the transition to a sustainable and resilient land and food system and biodiversity recovery. The Dutch financial sector is a frontrunner in green finance, but the Dutch government needs to join these initiatives to collectively reach a sustainable transition.
The Dutch water sector has valuable expertise on ‘building with nature’: NbS for water management. One of the key approaches to ensure a resilient freshwater system is through Nature based Solutions according to GCA. The people of the Netherlands have for centuries understood the delicate balancing act that needs to be in place to keep the country resilient. In the Netherlands the limits of a technical infrastructure approach to water management is well understood and already 2 decades back The Netherlands started experimenting with NbS. We have major examples along our rivers and the coast. Now is the time to scale up ambition on NbS worldwide.
Forests are one of the best examples of nature-based solutions. Home to 80% of the world’s terrestrial biodiversity, forests provide clean air and water, protect against erosion and landslides, and help to regulate the climate by removing carbon from the atmosphere. Primary forests, such as the Amazon, act as significant carbon sinks, sequestering huge amounts of carbon in tree biomass and soils.
By preventing deforestation and degradation, which contribute around a quarter of global CO2 emissions, carbon emissions could be significantly reduced while staving off the worst impacts of a warming planet.
The math shows that mitigating climate change will be impossible without forests. To meet the promise of Paris and keep global warming to below 2°C, governments and companies should:
- Protect and restore Forests (Forest Landscape Restoration, responsible forestry, responsible value chains, certification)
- Create new forests (planting trees, afforestation and reforestation)
- Invest in agroforestry (using trees in agriculture)
Vraag6
Samenwerking publiek-privaat en rol Midden en Klein Bedrijf (MKB)Een succesvolle aanpak op het gebied van internationale handel vraagt samenwerking tussen burgers, bedrijven, maatschappelijke organisaties en de overheid. Het is nuttig om aan te sluiten op de behoeftes van de markt. Waar zijn bedrijven (specifiek het MKB) mee geholpen om de exportkracht en innovatiekracht te vergroten?
6. Hoe kan de overheid het bedrijfsleven (specifiek het MKB) dat internationaal onderneemt (of dat zou willen) beter ondersteunen om zaken te doen in het buitenland?
a. Welke ondersteuning hebben bedrijven nodig om internationaal succesvol te zijn op terreinen van digitale innovatie (innovatiesamenwerking) en verduurzaming?
b. Voor handel met welke landen (of regio’s of markten) zou ondersteuning moeten zijn?
c. Wat zou de overheid op het gebied van handelsbevordering niet meer moeten doen?
(EN)
Public-private cooperation and role of SMEs
A successful approach to international trade requires cooperation between the public, companies, civil society and government. It is also useful to align with market demand. What would help companies, and SMEs in particular, to increase their export performance and innovative capacity?
6. How can the government better support companies (and SMEs specifically), that are doing or wish to do business abroad?
a. What type of support do companies need in order to achieve international success in the areas of digital innovation (innovation partnerships) and sustainability?
b. For what countries, regions or markets should the government provide private sector support?
c. What type of trade promotion activities should the government stop doing?
(a) Companies already know they have to work on the twin-transitions but need the right tools to decide if their investments are in line with the transitions, for example climate change and biodiversity loss. The Ministry can help them with clear guidelines and supporting the initiatives institutions take themselves already.
(b) Low to Lower-middle-income economies are most in need of support but also Upper-middle-income economies where civil society is under pressure due to shrinking civic spaces need our support, also because these economies are often important trading partners of The Netherlands and there is a shared responsibility for achieving sustainable supply chains.
(c) The transitions on climate and biodiversity, but also human rights of local and indigenous people, need to be an integrated part of trade facilitation. Therefore supporting any trade agreement or investment that might not take these into account should be stopped.
Vraag7
OntwikkelingssamenwerkingDevelopment cooperation
Nederlandse inzet op Ontwikkelingssamenwerking
Nederland is op verschillende thema’s actief op gebied van ontwikkelingssamenwerking. Zo investeren we in het realiseren van de Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) en zetten we extra in op opvang in de regio, toegang tot vaccins, klimaatadaptatie en -mitigatie. Nederland gaat door met wat goed gaat en focust op waar Nederland goed in is, zoals verbinding tussen diplomatie en ontwikkelingssamenwerking. Meer informatie over het ontwikkelingssamenwerkingsbeleid van Nederland is te vinden op www.nlontwikkelingssamenwerking.nl.
7. Waar is Nederland op het gebied van ontwikkelingssamenwerking volgens u goed in? Op welke thema’s zou Nederland een aanjagende rol kunnen vervullen?
(EN)
Dutch development cooperation activities
The Netherlands is actively pursuing a number of policy themes in the area of development cooperation. For example, we're investing in efforts to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), reception in the region, access to vaccines, and climate adaptation and mitigation. The Netherlands will continue its efforts in areas where progress is being made and will focus on its strengths, such as linking diplomacy and development. For more information about Dutch development policy, go to www.nlontwikkelingssamenwerking.nl.
7. In your opinion, what are the Netherlands’ strengths when it comes to development cooperation? In which policy themes could the Netherlands play a leading role?
Continue to promote Southern leadership as well as rights-based local ownership in programs. This is already the approach within the Voices for Climate Action (VCA) WWF Global Program. The BHOS bill should continue to promote this in future programs.
Continue to promote the landscape approach in the different funding mechanisms. The government has rightly concluded that the landscape approach links with topics such as deforestation, the circular economy, food systems transformation and water scarcity. The choice for ecosystem management by local communities and indigenous groups links this to sustainable development and is also the key to making production chains more sustainable. Therefore, go even further with promoting landscape approaches in the various financing mechanisms from this perspective. The landscape approach is also the basis of the WWF-NL relation with the Dutch Fund for Climate and Development (DFCD). We are in a unique position to create bankable nature solutions. We understand how to invest in vulnerable landscapes, have deep knowledge of impact, a global presence and a large network.
Power of Voices is an exemplary programme directed towards strengthening civil society and safeguarding democracy in the Global South. The program allows for critical analysis of hegemonic power structures and provides CSOs opportunities to challenge and re-establish these. The set-up of the Power of Voices highlights leadership from the South, enhancing participatory structures and inclusivity through capacity building (instead of delivering services). (Furthermore, the alliance structure of contracted projects allows for intersectional knowledge exchange amongst alliance partners at global, regional, national and local level. In addition, the structure of such an alliance allows for enhanced accountability, as alliance partners hold each other accountable.
The Netherlands could play a powerful role in further advocating and facilitating programmes that direct funds towards local NGOs/CSOs, strengthening leadership from the South. NL has a lot of expert knowledge and funds on Nature based Solutions. Tailoring this to local solutions, using a bottom-up approach. A key aspect of this will be in enhancing disclosure by donors to IPLCs of the performance. See also our comments on NbS in previous questions.
Vraag8
Innoveren op OSNederlandse internationale samenwerking is flexibel en kennisintensief, we zijn vernieuwend. Zo ontwikkelt Nederland nieuwe manieren van werken en partnerschappen die daarna door bijv. de Europese Commissie en Wereldbank worden opgepakt of opgeschaald. De Nederlandse internationale samenwerking fungeert dus veelal als een creatieve en kennisintensieve incubator (een broedplaats voor nieuwe ideeën. Nederland is een relatief kleine donor, maar als lidstaat van de EU en via bilaterale hulp kan Nederland de zichtbaarheid van EU-hulp vergroten en additionele relevante kapitaalstromen generen.
8. Op welke manier en op welk vlak kan de Nederlandse ontwikkelingssamenwerking nog meer innoveren?
(EN)
Innovative development cooperation
Dutch international cooperation is flexible and knowledge-intensive. We are also innovative, developing new ways of working and new types of partnership that are subsequently adopted or scaled up by others, like the European Commission and the World Bank. In this respect, Dutch international cooperation is like a creative and knowledge-intensive incubator. We are a relatively small donor, but as an EU member state and through bilateral aid we can make EU aid more visible and generate additional, relevant capital flows.
8. In what other ways and areas could Dutch development cooperation innovate more?
We experience the (new) way of working within the Strategic Partnerships under the Power of Voices programme - in which the alliance works together with the Ministry on shared goals, so that the partnership is more than just a subsidy relationship - as very positive. The various Directorates of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Dutch Embassies are also a crucial part of the partnership. We also experience the focus on greater control from local organizations (Southern leadership) as very positive, as is the high degree of flexibility and adaptability to the local, often changing context. Dutch development cooperation could innovate even more in the areas of:
- Initiate partnerships between Ministries where it concerns cross-cutting issues, such as deforestation (both MinBuZa and LNV).
- Support “Blending” (public-private) financing options at the EC through co-financing (e.g. via ESFD+)
- Promote cooperation with development organizations on trade missions (RVO)
- The threshold criteria for subsidies: We recommend that this is set up in such a way that more local organizations can take on a role as coordinator.
- The Dutch government could actively mediate in the relation with, for example, the World Bank and the EC for the purpose of scaling up successful projects.
- Unlocking Climate Finance for local solutions (right now, only 10% reaches civil society). Part of this means funding local nature based solutions.
- Climate financing mechanisms should be accessible and tailored to local NGOs and CSOs- instead of following complex reporting/monitoring systems. I.e. simpler requirements on reporting, flexibility in co-financing, flexible budgets, long term programmes instead of short term individual projects.
- Acknowledge and advocate Climate Change as a justice issue
- Power of Voices enlarges civic space ‘bottom up’, by strengthening local CSOs, but local and national governments should eventually allow for this civic space. NL could invest more in e.g. exchange modules with local/national governments on strengthening participatory governance structures and safeguarding democracy.
- Including Youth in Climate & Development policies.
- Advocating for safety, dignity and rights of local environmental defenders. Holding nations responsible for violation of the rights of these people. Increasing transparency and disclosure + supporting local/international (conservation) organizations working to protect these people
Vraag9
Een donor met durfDe Nederlandse internationale inzet is gedurfd, omdat we financiële investeringen koppelen aan onze diplomatieke inzet en expertise. We continueren thema’s waar we traditionele meerwaarde hebben: seksuele en reproductieve rechten en gezondheid (SRGR), water, voedselzekerheid en veiligheid & rechtsorde. Daarbij kunnen we nog meer gebruik maken van het diplomatieke gewicht van o.a. de EU. We investeren in systeemverandering om te zorgen dat we de SDG’s in 2030 realiseren. Met systeemverandering bedoelen we dat we de systemen die armoede en ongelijkheid in stand houden aanpakken.
9. Op welke manier/welk vlak kan Nederland als donor nog meer durf te tonen?
(EN)
A bold donor
Dutch international efforts can be characterised as bold, because we link financial investment to diplomatic efforts and expertise. We will continue our work on themes where we have always added value: sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), water, food security, and security and the rule of law. We will also make better use of the diplomatic weight of the EU. To ensure we achieve the SDGs by 2030, we will invest in systemic change, i.e. tackling the structures that maintain poverty and inequality.
9. In what ways or areas could the Netherlands, as a donor, be even bolder?
Unlocking Climate Finance for local solutions. In the past decade, only 1.5% of global climate finance has gone to natural solutions from indigenous peoples and local communities. Leverage public with private funding in order to create a pipeline of projects. This is crucial in supporting IPLCs set up a transparent accountability framework and enabling the co-creation of Embassy and donors programs regionally and internationally.
Strengthen the capacity and expertise on Nature based Solutions at the Dutch Embassies so they can play an active role in mainstreaming biodiversity in international cooperation, in cooperation with civil society organizations in the programs (Power of Voices, VCA, DFCD) in the respective countries.
Vraag10
Afrondende algemene vraag10. Heeft u nog andere punten van aandacht die u vindt dat meegenomen dienen te worden in de nieuwe beleidsnota?
(EN)
General closing question
10. Are there any other points that you believe should be included in the new policy document?
No.