Interview with Michèlle Prins
Interview with Michèlle Prins, Natuur & Milieu
Accelerating change
As Programme Manager Industry at Natuur & Milieu, a prominent Dutch environmental NGO, Michèlle Prins engages with businesses and politicians to influence policymaking and accelerate the transition to greener and cleaner industry in the Netherlands. Rather than emphasising activism, Natuur & Milieu focuses on constructive dialogue, coalition-building and evidence-based research.
How do you view the steel industry and its role in a sustainable future?
“Steel production is one of the most polluting processes in the world, generating huge CO2 emissions and various other pollutants. But we also know that as a society we will always need steel. Fortunately, there are already technologies available to produce steel sustainably, so in that sense it’s a great case for sustainable industry. In our view, the steel industry in Europe should be climate-neutral by 2040, which is in line with European objectives, the Paris Agreement and the EU’s Emissions Trading System (ETS). This requires electrification of steel production, using green hydrogen rather than fossil fuels. In addition, the steel industry of the future should not have any negative impact on the living environment and the health of people living nearby.”
In light of this, how do you rate TSN’s Green Steel Project?
“The Green Steel Project is an important first step, and it shows that TSN is moving away from coal towards cleaner production. At the same time, we see that the plan offers insufficient guarantees in a number of areas. Particularly the pathway from 2030 onwards is unclear. Our main concern is that TSN risks becoming fossil-fuel dependent again if the final steps fail to materialise or take too long to materialise. We would like to see clearer, more binding commitments on the part of TSN, especially when public money is involved.”
How could TSN improve in terms of performance and planning?
“First of all, we would like to see a clearer and more comprehensive transition plan towards net-zero by 2040, rather than 2045. These five years make a huge difference for our climate targets in the Netherlands and the carbon budgets after 2040. Secondly, we need to prevent another fossil-fuel lock-in on natural gas by setting clear deadlines for the transition to sustainable biomethane and ultimately towards renewable hydrogen. And finally, we would like to see TSN prioritise public health. This would require accelerating the closure of the most polluting installations while the new facilities are being built. Commercially this may not be the most desirable option, but when it comes to people’s health it would be a sensible one. After all, when people’s living environment is affected, this also leads to huge environmental and healthcare costs for society.”
How would you characterise your collaboration with TSN?
"As Natuur & Milieu, we aim to work together with government authorities and businesses in a constructive way. As such, our experience with TSN is characterised by open dialogue, even where we disagree. In February this year, we even wrote a letter together to the then Prime Minister to call for a strong ETS and an effective CBAM in the EU. On this issue, we both have the same objective: it is important to create a green level playing field in Europe to make sure that industry can be both competitive and sustainable in the long term.
At the same time, we find it disappointing that TSN still seems to breach its own standards and is involved in several legal proceedings on environmental issues. This undermines our confidence that TSN will actually implement its plans sufficiently quickly and effectively.”
If you were in charge, what would you do?
“I would accelerate the pathway to green steel considerably and be much more ambitious, realistic and concrete about what is needed to meet the climate and environmental commitments. Specifically, I would turn the plans into concrete and enforceable measures, which would lead to visible improvements for the living environment. Only then will you be able to fully restore trust in TSN as a company. Another thing I would certainly do is make people’s health leading in the choices you make rather than short-term commercial interests. This requires the courage to say goodbye to parts of the current business case that no longer fit in a sustainable and socially responsible future and find opportunities for new, cleaner activities. In the long term, sustainability will be the only thing that will guarantee competitiveness.”