The Dutch Expect Limited Impact of Energy Transition on Employment

• Only 21% of the Dutch are concerned about their jobs due to the energy transition.
• Agriculture and aviation are seen as vulnerable sectors.
• There is little enthusiasm for retraining despite the upcoming changes.

The latest edition of the BNP Paribas Just Transition Observatory 2024 reveals that the Dutch have relatively few concerns about the impact of the energy transition on employment. This seems to contradict earlier results from the Just Transition Observatory indicated growing concerns in the Netherlands about increasing social inequality as a result of the energy transition. Only 21% of employed Dutch people are worried about the impact of the energy transition on their jobs. Meanwhile, 36% of all European respondents are somewhat or very concerned about the direct consequences of the energy transition for the survival of their jobs.

For certain sectors, such as agriculture and aviation, the Dutch are notably more pessimistic about the impact of the energy transition than the European average. For example, only 4% of the Dutch believe that the agricultural sector can greatly benefit from the energy transition, compared to 37% who expect that agriculture will be severely affected by its consequences.

In line with the limited impact anticipated for employment, the Dutch are also not inclined to get reskilled in response to the energy transition. Only 12% of workers in the Netherlands expect to reskill or upskill to adapt to changing economic conditions. This places the Netherlands at the bottom within Europe; on average, 21% of Europeans are considering retraining or upskilling in anticipation of the energy transition. In large economies like Germany, Spain, and Poland, this percentage exceeds 20%.

In participating in a Just Transition, businesses play a critical role in supporting their employees, by ensuring they stay upskilled. Ongoing training and development are essential to meet the evolving demands of a sustainable future.

Grégoire Lusson, Head of NEST (Network of Experts in Sustainability Transitions) at BNP Paribas