On Monday, October 7th, AmCham and the Industry Committee hosted a seminar to explore Talent for Leading the Energy Transition. The workshop began with a plenary session, where we heard from Philipp Offenburg, Director Europe at Breakthrough Energy, our moderator Dirk Koppenol, Strategist at NGInfra, and took questions from attendees. Guests were sorted into breakout groups to further dive into this topic before meeting back together for one last brainstorming session.
What is needed to achieve the energy transition? In a sophisticated economy like the Netherlands, we will benefit from less and smarter regulation so that businesses can remain agile and move faster towards solutions that work. Government can and must help by adopting a pragmatic attitude and ensuring the work that must be done, gets done: without the required infrastructure, the business community cannot move forward. Additionally, investing in education and in the skills, knowledge, and competencies we will dearly need, is a must. Businesses do what they can, yet, to remain an innovative and successful economy, a long term, forward looking vision paired with concrete action are essential. Access to talent but also access to capital are key.
Affordable and available energy is a fundament for prosperity, yet it is not a given. If the Netherlands and Europe want to remain prosperous, we need a much better business case for industry. We see many opportunities for better collaboration and invite public and private to take up the major challenge together. We appreciate everyone who came out to discuss what is needed to achieve the energy transition.
Our sincere thanks to all who contributed today, especially our speakers and discussion moderators: Philipp Offenberg Director Europe at Breakthrough Energy, Douwe van der Stroom, Program Manager Smart Energy & Industry at Port of Rotterdam, Jaap Rabou, Sr. Director Marketing Polyolefins at LyondellBasell, Murat Tarakci, Professor of Innovation Strategy Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University, Johan Scharpé, Director Public Affairs & Government Affairs at ExxonMobil Benelux, Arnold Choi, VP of Engineering Paebbl, Martijn Luyke MBA, Key Account Manager Executive Education Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University, Marike Dijksterhuis, Strategic Advisor & Program Manager atGemeente Rotterdam, Malou Kroezen, Managing Director & Director of Education at Erasmus Centre for Energy Transition, Edward Dekker Kleijn, Site Manager at ExxonMobil Benelux, Elke Roelant, Deputy Executive Director at American Chamber of Commerce in the Netherlands (AmCham) - and our outstanding moderator of the day Dirk Koppenol.
Out thanks go out to the Rotterdam School of Management at Erasmus University and the Erasmus Centre for Energy Transition for your support and collaboration.
