Contributing to a sustainable society

A sustainable future can only be realised with a healthy planet and a society based on socio-economic cohesion. This sustainable future will offer appropriate and meaningful employment for all, together with equal opportunities in an inclusive society. PwC wants to contribute to this sustainable society by offering our services, sharing knowledge and making ourselves heard in public debates.

Impact of climate policy on competitive position Dutch industry

PwC was instructed by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate to conduct a study into the impact of proposed climate policy on the competitive position of the Dutch industrial sector. This so-called Playing field assessment (June 2020) was part of a parliamentary debate about the proposed ‘Wet CO₂-heffing industrie’ (Industrial CO₂levy Act), which came into effect on 1 January 2021. Read what PwC experts think of this CO₂ pricing.

European Green Deal monitor

The ‘European Green Deal’ is the European Union’s response to the existential threats of climate change. The ‘Green Deal’ will have a major impact on the manner in which we produce, consume and live. PwC has published the ‘Green Deal Monitor’ in recent years, where we used data and practical examples to offer clients and stakeholders an insight into the various aspects of the ‘Green Deal’.

Driving electric in 2030

One of the ambitions of the Climate Agreement, namely to only sell fully electric cars in the Netherlands by 2030, is feasible. By then, there will be enough affordable models on the market, enough charging stations and enough green electricity to allow these cars to actually be used. These were the findings of PwC’s March 2020 study called ‘The feasibility of 28 billion electric car kilometres in 2030’, which was also discussed with several members of parliament.

SDG Barometer

With a range of data at our disposal, we spent a year examining the impact of COVID-19 on ‘Sustainable Development Goals’ that are most relevant to the Netherlands. As things stand, the Dutch economy appears to have emerged from the crisis in good shape, although SDG Barometers show that COVID-19 has left some deep scars on our society when it comes to equality, poverty and health.

The costs and benefits of working from home

Working partly at home and partly in the office seems to be the new standard. That is why PwC researches this so-called hybrid working. In 2020, PwC identified the costs and benefits of working from home (1, 2). This showed, among other things, that working from home can lead to a major reduction in CO2 but may also lead to more isolation. Follow-up research (2023) shows that working partly at home and partly in the office by part of the workforce has not made the Netherlands poorer, but the workers involved are happier. Working partly from home does not lead to reduced production and it has a positive impact on employees' mental and physical well-being. Hybrid working however can have a negative impact on collaboration and innovation.

Clearer measurement and reporting of SDG impact for companies and municipalities

Companies can use various measurement and reporting instruments to measure their impact when it comes to ‘Sustainable Development Goals’ (SDG’s). In 2020, three Ministries instructed PwC to identify available measurement and reporting instruments and to offer advice about the possibilities for harmonising these methods. This is important because, if companies have a better insight into their non-financial results, they can modify their strategy over time and opt for initiatives that have a real impact on SDG’s.

Quality and adequate funding MBO, HBO and WO&O

MBO, HBO and WO&O play an important role in the Dutch education system. Under instruction from the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, PwC conducted a study into the adequacy of the macro budget, and the effectiveness of expenditure and funding. The ‘Adequacy, effectiveness and allocation of funding in MBO, HBO and WO&O education’ report states that - while there is room for improvement - funding for MBO and HBO education is generally appropriate. This does not apply to funding for WO&O, which is one of the reasons for the ever increasing workload. In general, MBO, HBO and WO&O perform effectively when it comes to meeting quality indicators, such as accessibility, compatibility with the labour market, and the international position of scientific research. The results of this study were discussed in the education sector as well as the Lower House of Parliament.

Labour market in 2025

The level of change in the Dutch labour market is greatly determined by new initiatives concerning flexible work and the speed with which the working population is able to learn new digital skills. Because both developments are very uncertain, PwC has developed four scenarios for what the labour market could look like in 2025. The scenarios can be found in the report called ‘Reshaping work. Future scenarios for the labour market in the Netherlands’. Each scenario will result in different outcomes when it comes to, for example, the composition of the working population (divided into permanent, flexible and self-employed) and labour productivity. The aim of the publication is to offer all involved parties an insight into the consequences of potential developments and decisions.

‘Net zero’ in 2030 - alone and together with our clients

PwC wants to realise 'net zero' greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. We have used ‘The road to circularity’ to describe the need for zero waste, zero emissions and effective re-use of materials from an economic perspective, and identified specific business cases to explain how organisations can approach these important principles.

We are also supporting our clients with their sustainability transformations. Research shows that work-related mobility plays a major role in the pollution generated by many companies, including PwC. To make things more sustainable on this front, it is crucial to first have a personal insight into the CO₂ emissions of an organisation at all levels: management, employees and (project)teams. That is why we developed the ‘Environmental Footprint Insights’ (EFI).

What will artificial intelligence look like in the EU in 2025?

The emergence of Artificial intelligence (AI) can be compared to that of electricity or the internet. There are so many applications that it is difficult to predict what impact this technology will have on our lives. In addition, the future will also be determined by further technological, political and societal developments.

Our report called ‘The many futures of AI’ has identified four scenarios for what AI may look like in the EU in 2025. The report shows that a specific future for AI cannot be identified. However, the report describes the consequences of decisions made by governments, and how companies can prepare for them. Instead of offering answers, we have asked a question: what is the best outcome for Europe?

Skills needed on the work floor in 2035

If working people in the Netherlands still want to have a job in fifteen years’ time, they will have to improve their learning capabilities, their creativity and their social skills. For most people in the Netherlands, this will be more important than learning technical or IT skills. That was the main conclusion of the PwC report called ‘The tectonics of skills – measuring the evolution of our skills landscape’.

Firstly, the report shows that all professions – from cleaners and welders to teachers and architects – are having to work with new technologies. But as end users, not as IT experts. Secondly, our analysis clearly shows that working people in the Netherlands will not have to develop completely new competences, but must use training to improve their existing competences. The ability of people to communicate and interact with their colleagues, clients and other stakeholders is and will remain the most important competence.

Pension system

The government has established a pension agreement with the social partners. This agreement contains new arrangements about pensions and AOW. These arrangements have been formalised in the proposed ‘Wet toekomst pensioenen’ (Future of pensions Act). PwC has shared its vision concerning this legislative proposal. PwC regularly uses its website to share its vision concerning relevant developments in the field of pensions.

Pricing of nitrogen

Too much nitrogen has negative effects on our natural environment. Pricing is in theory an effective and efficient policy instrument for reducing harmful nitrogen emissions. That is the conclusion of PwC's report 'Does pricing offer a structural solution to the nitrogen problem?’ The report presents pricing, especially in the European context, as a possible part of the structural approach to nitrogen. It points out that more attention is needed for shaping the long-term nitrogen policy.

Managing climate risks of financial institutions

Financial institutions play a key role in financing the transition towards a more sustainable society. But banks, pension funds, insurance firms and asset management companies also face financial and operational risks themselves from climate change. The publication ‘Integrating climate risks in the risk management framework’ offers financial institutions a road map for managing climate risks. In addition to analyses, the publication contains eight concrete recommendations for giving climate risks a place within the risk management framework and thereby boosting financial resilience.

Proposal PwC for a sustainable investment regime

The importance of a climate-neutral Europe by 2050 - the goal of the European Green Deal - is increasingly being felt. To ensure that investment funds for the sustainability of real assets such as real estate are more easily deployed to where they are needed, PwC is working on the development of a European Union 'Real Assets Investment Trust' (EU-RAIT), a pan-EU regime for investment institutions. You can read our detailed vision on this subject in the white paper European Union Real Assets Investment Trust. The goal is to ensure that investment funds set up under this new regime and listed on a stock exchange can invest in sustainable projects in the European Union on a large scale, the rules of the game being clear and uniform to everyone. PwC is discussing the EU-RAIT with stakeholders and develops this plan together with them. By already doing our part of the preparatory work, PwC tries to contribute to a fairer and more sustainable world.

Recommendations for the organisation of public budgetary funds

The government is preparing legislation regulating the organisation of two large public budgetary funds: the Transition Fund for Rural Areas and Nature ('Stikstoffonds') and the Climate Fund. Reserving a significant budget for a policy goal has undeniable advantages. Through a fund, government and private parties can work together to achieve their goals. But there are also pitfalls. The success of a fund is determined by how a fund is organised and what conditions are set in advance for payment from the fund. If the fund does not work properly, the money goes to the wrong parties and the solution to the social problem is not realised, the social damage and tumult will be great. In the publication 'Recommendations for setting up public budgetary funds', specialists from PwC's public sector practice list benefits, pitfalls and recommendations.

Benchmark universities and universities of applied sciences

PwC conducts an annual benchmark to provide insight into how the thirteen Dutch universities 'score' on international and national rankings regarding, among other things, research, student satisfaction and sustainability. Since 2021 PwC also conducts a benchmark for the twenty - in terms of total revenues - largest (government-funded) universities of applied sciences.

Public sector and ESG reporting; beyond the non-committal

A large number of public sector organizations have included disclosures about sustainability initiatives in their annual reports. This is concluded from PwC's research of the level of sustainability reporting within fifty organisations in the public sector. Of the three main themes Environmental, Social and Governance, an explanation is primarily given in the Environmental area. This is remarkable, in view of the social impact the public sector makes.

Productivity of government executive organisations

Much will be asked of the government in the coming years, for example with regard to making the Netherlands more sustainable. However, personnel for implementation is scarce, which makes an increase in productivity desirable. PwC therefore examined the productivity of the fifty largest government executive organisations over the period 2015-2021. The main challenges from this 'Productivity implementation organisations' benchmark were identified as process, IT and personnel. The results have been discussed with various government executive organisations and ministries. We have also brought the study to the attention of several political parties as input for their 2023 election programme.

Gender equality at work

PwC has been studying the position of women in the labour market in 33 countries annually since 2011.The scores of this ‘Women in Work Index’ are based on multiple indicators, including the female rate of participation in the labour force, the gender pay gap, the unemployment rate and the proportion of employed women who work full time. The Netherlands has occupied a place in the middle of the Index for years.