Abstract
The author discusses the role of private law in achieving goals related to ESG (environmental, social and governance) criteria in the Netherlands, particularly in the context of climate change and energy transition. Private law can be used as a last resort when government and administrative law fail, influencing the policies of governments and companies. However, the author argues that recent developments challenge the trias politica, which is a cornerstone of the state's rule of law. Despite clear standards provided by international and EU law, companies and governments neglect court decisions, and appeal procedures delay action. Nonetheless, private law is starting to play a role, where banks refuse companies’ loans if their legal paperwork is not up to pace with the law, new forms of contracts regulating labor relations are bound to mandatory private law, and accountants put environmental hazards as legal hazards in annual reports, necessitating clients to contribute to environmental and climate improving measures. The author argues that innovative climate policy from the government is the most important route to change.
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Notes
- 1.
For example, in the ‘Convenant Internationaal Maatschappelijk Verantwoord Beleggen in de verzekeringssector’ (5 July 2018) of the Dutch government and the Verbond van Verzekeraars en Zorgverzekeraars Nederland.
- 2.
The research for this paper takes development up to November 2022 into account.
- 3.
The Scope 2 Guidance standardizes how corporations measure emissions from purchased or acquired electricity, steam, heat and cooling.
- 4.
‘Shell achteruit op beurs na vonnis’, Telegraaf, 26 mei 2021. The company also announced they will leave The Netherlands.
- 5.
Shell-vonnis dwingt bedrijf en accountant sneller werk te maken van klimaatdoelen, Financieel Dagblad, 7 juni 2021.
- 6.
- 7.
- 8.
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended December 31, 2020, Royal Dutch Shell PLC.
- 9.
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended December 31, 2020, Royal Dutch Shell PLC, p. 203.
- 10.
- 11.
Institute of Southern Director, King IV Report on Corporate Governance for South Africa (2016), www.iodsa.co.za/resource/resmgr/king_iv/King_IV_Report/IoDSA_King_IV_Report_-_WebVe.pdf (consulted on May 2, 2020), Principle 3.
- 12.
Besluit bekendmaking van niet-financiële informatie (Nonfinancial reporting decree) and Besluit bekendmaking diversiteit (Diversity reporting decree).
- 13.
The Dutch parliament is working on a proposal for a law on Responsible and Sustainable International Business.
- 14.
When a civil servant has any conscientious objection to any form of insurance, the person can request not to have to participate in the ABP pension scheme. Chapter 11 Pensioenreglement ABP.
- 15.
https://www.ftm.nl/artikelen/fundament-pensioenstelsel-kraakt; https://www.uu.nl/opinie/blog-vertrek-uit-het-abp; EU Hof zaak 67/96 (Albany).
- 16.
‘Shell zoekt steun aandeelhouders voor beleid Zuid-Afrika’, NRC, 11 May 1988. S.A. Meijer & Kees Leidelmeijer, ‘Zuid-Afrika-vrij beleggen’, Economisch statistische berichten, 1990, 75(3739): pp. 18–19.
- 17.
Komitee Zuid Afrika was an NGO with an active anti apartheid program, Novib is the Dutch branch of Oxfam, Pax Christi a World Peace organisation.
- 18.
Trouw, 16 mei 2021.
- 19.
‘De meeste grote Nederlandse beleggers steunen Follow This, behalve pensioenreus ABP’, Volkskrant, 9 June 2021.
- 20.
NRC, 25 April 2022.
- 21.
‘Niet alles is acceptabel voor winstmaximalisatie’, NRC, 29 April 2022; ‘Milieudefensie wil bestuurders Shell persoonlijk …’, Volkskrant, 25 April 2022.
- 22.
Annex 2 of the PAS, art. 2 of the Besluit grenswaarden and art. 2.12 Besluit natuurbescherming were declared not binding.
- 23.
‘450 boeren zonder vergunning: provincie wil wet niet handhaven’, https://www.omroepbrabant.nl, 20 April 2022.
- 24.
Bakker and Timmer, ‘Wat er mis is met de stikstofaanpak?’, De Limburger, 23 April 2022. There is one main bank in the agricultural sector in The Netherlands, the Rabo bank.
- 25.
Jaap Tielbeke, ‘Het Shell-vonnis heeft gevolgen voor grootvervuilers wereldwijd’. De Groene Amsterdammer, 2 June 2021.
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van der Velden, B.D. (2023). Environmental, Social and Governance Criteria in the Netherlands: Interaction Between Government and the Courts. In: Spataro, L., Quirici, M.C., Iermano, G. (eds) ESG Integration and SRI Strategies in the EU. Palgrave Studies in Impact Finance. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-36457-0_12
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