Good environmental policy should also stimulate technological progress
To combine economic growth with environmental benefits, effective policy is needed that stimulates both the development and application of clean technologies. Leon Bremer investigates how companies deal with energy-saving innovations and what role policy instruments such as the European Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) and price incentives play in this.
His doctoral research shows that Dutch companies have already invested significantly in energy savings, but an additional 15% savings is still possible through profitable investments. The biggest barrier is policy uncertainty. Clear and stable policy is therefore crucial.
Furthermore, Bremer demonstrates that the EU ETS reduced a lot of CO₂ emissions between 2005 and 2020, without negative effects on companies. It also appears that price incentives—such as subsidies or taxes—can encourage companies to develop clean rather than polluting technologies.
His research emphasizes the importance of technological innovation and reliable government policy in the transition to a sustainable economy.
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