Only a city that undertakes serious urban regeneration
and works towards a healthy future, with clean power,
clean air and clean water, will remain attractive for people
to live and work in. National and international companies
will be happy to set up business in such a city. An active
energy policy will also help to keep the cost of living affordable.
A good energy and climate policy is therefore a
sensible economic and social policy.
Amsterdam has a healthy tradition of pursuing a progressive
energy and climate policy. Being a leader in transitions
that affect the basic facilities and infrastructure of
the city, such as energy and communication, creates extra
jobs, economic growth and an open playing field for innovation,
thereby helping to move the city into the future.
Amsterdam has secured its leading position through
cooperation with partners to achieve high ambitions, for
example through some major iconic projects.
The energy supply is at the start of a major transition
that will involve a mix of large and small partners as well
as a great deal of sustainable energy production by the
people of Amsterdam themselves. This transition will also
provide Amsterdam with some unique opportunities. New
developments in energy efficiency, sustainable energy
production, storage systems and electric cars will shape
the future. However, engineering will not be sole determining
factor. It will also require new forms of cooperation
and commercial products.
With the Amsterdam Climate Programme, Amsterdam
has been working hard for some years to become an
outstandingly clean and habitable city. These activities will
have to increase substantially in the coming decades to
guarantee a sustainable future for Amsterdam. This transition
to a sustainable energy supply requires powerful
decisions, time and patience, and above all perseverance.
Actions are necessary on all fronts: energy savings, the
use of sustainable energy and the efficient use of fossil
energy. In this 2040 Energy Strategy, we will examine the
details of this challenge and outline the pathways.