{"id":7877,"date":"2021-11-10T16:56:47","date_gmt":"2021-11-10T16:56:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/comiteschonelucht.nl\/about-us\/"},"modified":"2023-11-09T13:25:24","modified_gmt":"2023-11-09T13:25:24","slug":"about-us","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/comiteschonelucht.nl\/en\/about-us\/","title":{"rendered":"About Us"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"7877\" class=\"elementor elementor-7877\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-fd3ca13 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"fd3ca13\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-d7e536c\" data-id=\"d7e536c\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aa1fba1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"aa1fba1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.19.0 - 07-02-2024 *\/\n.elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px}<\/style><h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">About us<\/h1>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8c20dd4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"8c20dd4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Who is the Clean Air Committee<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-ddadef3 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"ddadef3\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-10fa5a5\" data-id=\"10fa5a5\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e06d9e5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-gva-image-content\" data-id=\"e06d9e5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"gva-image-content.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"gva-element-gva-image-content gva-element\">\t\t\n\t  \n\t \n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"gsc-image-content skin-v2\">\n\t\t  \n\t\t  \t\t\t <div class=\"image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t  <a href=\"#\">\n\t\t\t <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging.comiteschonelucht.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/peter-hall-ATcSE3SR5TQ-unsplash.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t  <\/a>\n\t\t    \n\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t  \n\t\t  \t\t\t <div class=\"image-second\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"image-second-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t  \t\t  <a href=\"#\">\n\t\t\t <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging.comiteschonelucht.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Brussels-Protest-15.11.jpeg\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t  <\/a>\n\t\t    \n\t\t\t\t<\/div>  \n\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t  \t\t<\/div>\n\t \n\n\t\n \n  \n <\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-c35cea6\" data-id=\"c35cea6\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3f13063 elementor-widget elementor-widget-gva-heading-block\" data-id=\"3f13063\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"gva-heading-block.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"gva-element-gva-heading-block gva-element\">   <div class=\"align-left style-1 widget gsc-heading box-align-left auto-responsive\">\n      <div class=\"content-inner\">\n         \n                  \n         <div class=\"sub-title\"><span class=\"tagline\">Who are we?<\/span><\/div>  \n         \n                     <h2 class=\"title\">\n               <span>Who is the Clean Air Committee<\/span>\n            <\/h2>\n                  \n         \n         \n      <\/div>\n   <\/div>\n<\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-87bd5af elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"87bd5af\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.19.0 - 07-02-2024 *\/\n.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#69727d;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#69727d;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t<p>Since 2018, the citizens&#8217; initiative <a href=\"https:\/\/staging.comiteschonelucht.nl\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Committee Clean Air<\/a> (CSL) has been actively leading a campaign for clean air in the debate on Climate &amp; Environment<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-16b40852 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"16b40852\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-69908aba\" data-id=\"69908aba\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-53182fae elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"53182fae\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><a href=\"https:\/\/staging.comiteschonelucht.nl\/samenwerking\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">In collaboration with many domestic and foreign NGOs, scientists and residents&#8217; groups<\/a>. <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/fenokkio\/status\/1459147634476822532?s=20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CSL specifically fights against biomass combustion<\/a> as a form of subsidized so-called \u2018renewable energy\u2019. Main objections are: 1. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bnnvara.nl\/joop\/artikelen\/focus-op-energiezekerheid-en-energieprijzen-verdrukt-klimaat-en-biodiversiteitsproblematiek\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Air pollution<\/a> due to extra emissions of nitrogen, CO2 (higher than coal), particulate matter and other substances of concern; 2 <a href=\"https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2023\/04\/eu-woody-biomass-final-policy-continues-threatening-forests-and-climate-critics\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Nature destruction and decline in (endangered) animals due to sharply increased forest and clear-cutting<\/a> in the EU &amp; beyond the US; 3. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nrc.nl\/nieuws\/2023\/04\/02\/biomassa-niet-duurzaam-toch-subsidies-a4161072\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Discouragement of making (fossil) industry more sustainable<\/a>. The SDE (16 billion at EU level) sustainability subsidies used for biomass do not encourage industry to look for truly sustainable forms of energy and do not structurally and substantially invest in energy saving, electrification, reuse, and recycling.<\/p><p>CSL does this by functioning non-stop as an intermediary between politics, the (forestry &amp; energy) sector and science, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/commentisfree\/2022\/sep\/05\/burning-forests-energy-renewable-eu-wood-climate\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">translating current developments to society<\/a> in a jocular way through A. <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/fenokkio\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">(social) media<\/a> performances; B <a href=\"https:\/\/staging.comiteschonelucht.nl\/campagnes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">local, regional and (inter)national actions<\/a>; C <a href=\"https:\/\/staging.comiteschonelucht.nl\/petition-to-eu-vice-president-frans-timmermans\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">petitions<\/a>; D <a href=\"https:\/\/staging.comiteschonelucht.nl\/publicaties\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">opinion pieces<\/a>; E <a href=\"https:\/\/staging.comiteschonelucht.nl\/movie\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">(practical) reports and documentaries<\/a>. With the aim of increasing knowledge &amp; awareness regarding the need to reduce emissions, air pollution and nature destruction and thereby mobilize residents to be socially and politically active.<\/p><p>CSL originated from grassroots and was founded in 2018 by residents of Ijburg to protest the planned biomass power station of Vattenfall (Diemen). Within 6 months CSL was active <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=_GcZ0nZJbJg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">regionally<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/forestdefenders.eu\/forest-defender-principles\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">(inter)nationally<\/a> through <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wecf.org\/nl\/brandbrief-milieuorganisaties-stop-onmiddellijk-met-subsidie-voor-biomassaverbranding\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">active collaboration with residents&#8217; groups, NGOs, and scientists<\/a>. Today, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.volkskrant.nl\/wetenschap\/iedereen-wil-warm-douchen-maar-moet-je-daarvoor-bomen-verbranden-negen-vragen-over-biomassa~b99158cb\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CSL has become the face of NL<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/kiesklimaat.nl\/r\/Biomass-activist-Fenna-Swart-takes-grassroots-politics-to-Amsterdam\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">one of the leading voices in Europe<\/a> on the campaign for <a href=\"http:\/\/www.justincatanoso.com\/tag\/fenna-swart\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">clean air and conservation of forests and biodiversity<\/a>.<\/p><h2><strong>Why does it matter?<\/strong><\/h2><p>CSL has built up an extensive network over the past 5 years through intensive cooperation with <a href=\"https:\/\/staging.comiteschonelucht.nl\/samenwerking\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">residents &amp; NGOs<\/a>. With this, CSL has achieved <a href=\"https:\/\/www.volkskrant.nl\/wetenschap\/iedereen-wil-warm-douchen-maar-moet-je-daarvoor-bomen-verbranden-negen-vragen-over-biomassa~b99158cb\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">a large ranch in society<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.foodlog.nl\/artikel\/derde-brandbrief-subsidiestop-biomassaverbranding-ditmaal-aan-informateur-t\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">influence in politics<\/a>, both in NL and Brussels. This is evident from the following results, including: 1. <a href=\"https:\/\/staging.comiteschonelucht.nl\/samenwerking\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Cooperation NGOs<\/a> NL &gt;110, EU &gt;181; 2. <a href=\"https:\/\/staging.comiteschonelucht.nl\/publicaties\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Opinion pieces <\/a>(inter)national newspapers &gt;64; 3. <a href=\"https:\/\/staging.comiteschonelucht.nl\/campagnes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Protest actions<\/a> &gt;45; 4. <a href=\"https:\/\/petities.nl\/petitions\/stop-per-direct-de-subsidie-op-biomassacentrales-in-nederland\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Petitions NL<\/a> &gt;30K, <a href=\"https:\/\/act.wemove.eu\/campaigns\/biomass\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Petition EU<\/a> &gt;240K; 5. <a href=\"https:\/\/staging.comiteschonelucht.nl\/movie\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Documentary Wood Fever<\/a>, views &gt;143K.<\/p><p>Effects: A. Both <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ser.nl\/-\/media\/ser\/downloads\/adviezen\/2020\/biomassa-in-balans.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">SER advice<\/a> (2020) and B. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rijksoverheid.nl\/documenten\/rapporten\/2020\/06\/08\/niet-alles-kan-overal\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Remkes Committee<\/a> (2020) concluded that it is necessary to phase out biomass combustion as soon as possible due to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.telegraaf.nl\/nieuws\/2054779516\/ser-stop-subsidie-voor-energie-uit-verbrand-omgekapt-bos\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">the ongoing CSL campaign<\/a>. Where 5 years ago the combustion of biomass was still generally seen as the solution for achieving climate goals, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.telegraaf.nl\/nieuws\/2054779516\/ser-stop-subsidie-voor-energie-uit-verbrand-omgekapt-bos\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Dutch Climate Minister (EZK) Rob Jetten now acknowledges, under the direct influence of CSL<\/a> (ongoing campaign and petition 280k), the sustainability problem with biomass combustion. C. For this reason, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rijksoverheid.nl\/actueel\/nieuws\/2022\/04\/22\/onmiddellijke-subsidiestop-voor-laagwaardige-warmte-uit-biogrondstoffen\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">the government immediately stopped new subsidies for woody biomass last year<\/a>. Criteria both D. <a href=\"https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2023\/04\/eu-woody-biomass-final-policy-continues-threatening-forests-and-climate-critics\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">EU Renewable Energy Directive<\/a> (RED3.2023) and E. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rijksoverheid.nl\/documenten\/kamerstukken\/2023\/05\/11\/antwoorden-op-nadere-vragen-inzake-beleidsinzet-biogrondstoffen\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">NL Parliamentary letter on the policy deployment of bio-raw materials<\/a> (2023) were tightened in response to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bnnvara.nl\/joop\/artikelen\/minister-jetten-moet-de-schaamteloze-biomassa-industrie-beperken-in-plaats-van-stimuleren\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CSL campaign<\/a> in collaboration with the international coalition. CSL will also participate in the forthcoming <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tweedekamer.nl\/debat_en_vergadering\/commissievergaderingen\/details?id=2023A00817\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Round Table Conversations on Biomass in the House of Representatives on June 15, 2023<\/a>.<\/p><h2><strong>What does the Clean Air Committee add?<\/strong><\/h2><p>CSL has turned out to be <a href=\"https:\/\/you.wemove.eu\/campaigns\/the-eu-must-protect-forests-not-burn-them-for-energy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">an inspiring example for many citizens&#8217; initiatives in both NL &amp; EU<\/a> that fight <a href=\"https:\/\/www.foodlog.nl\/artikel\/derde-brandbrief-subsidiestop-biomassaverbranding-ditmaal-aan-informateur-t\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">against biomass plants<\/a> in their region. But also, for <a href=\"https:\/\/elfond.ee\/elf-en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">citizens&#8217; committees in countries of origin<\/a> (Baltic States, US) <a href=\"https:\/\/forestdefenders.eu\/forest-defender-principles\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">that campaign in collaboration with CSL<\/a> against the disastrous effects of forest and clear-cutting for export, as well as human rights violations and environmental pollution. The biomass debate has become so polarized that many media no longer dare to touch it. Instead of open debate, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.volkskrant.nl\/columns-opinie\/opinie-activisme-tegen-biomassa-kan-leiden-tot-meer-klimaatverandering~bb6a3ce2\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">nature NGOs, including the Clean Air Committee, regularly face negative treatment, framing and intimidation<\/a> from industry. For this reason, the ecological perspective from conservationists is essential. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vpro.nl\/argos\/lees\/onderwerpen\/money-to-burn\/2021\/milieuorganisaties-trekken-zich-per-direct-terug-uit-biomassa-akkoord.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Large regular environmental organizations were not an active participant in the biomass discussion between 2016-2021 due to their commitment to a sustainability covenant<\/a> with industry. <a href=\"https:\/\/staging.comiteschonelucht.nl\/about-us\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CSL jumped into this gap, opened the discussion, and acted as a forerunner<\/a>. Due to the paradigm shift regarding biomass (from biomass as a solution 2000-2020 to biomass as a sustainability problem and termination of new biomass subsidies in 2022), largely achieved by CSL, political developments in NL are closely followed by industry. Also, from surrounding EU Member States, China, Japan, England, Australia &amp; America are being watched. Multinationals fear reputational damage from angry citizens, as happened to Vattenfall.NL through <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biofuelwatch.org.uk\/2023\/open-letter-to-vattenfall-23\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CSL actions (Joint NGO urgent letter in combination with protest actions in Amsterdam, Berlin &amp; Sweden in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023)<\/a>. For these reasons, and as regards <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/fenokkio\/status\/1657086171976019968?s=20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">monitoring implementation of energy sustainability policy for the effects of Climate &amp; Nature<\/a>, continuation of CSL in collaboration with the (inter)national network is essential.<\/p><h2><strong>How can you contribute to the Clean Air Committee?<\/strong><\/h2><p>If you ask citizens what their individual influence is on the Climate, most will probably say: none or minimal influence. CSL would like to (continue to) play this pioneering role by giving citizens and young people in particular a voice. This allows the climate agenda to be influenced from below rather than by top-down political-industrial mechanisms. Precisely because Clean Air is difficult to manage and make imaginable in an action perspective, inspiring and mobilizing citizens based on a shared need\/sense of urgency is crucial. By not only focusing on the problem, but also on the solutions, <a href=\"https:\/\/staging.comiteschonelucht.nl\/doneer\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">you can strengthen the voice of CSL and thus contribute to the realization of its goal<\/a>: clean air for people, animals, and nature.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-8f2f734 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"8f2f734\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-9947812\" data-id=\"9947812\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-82af5db elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"82af5db\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2><strong>Background<\/strong><\/h2><p>The Energy sector is the most polluting sector in the world. It causes three quarters of global greenhouse gas emissions. Heavy polluters such as China, India and South Africa will have to do much more, but achieving a CO2-free energy mix as agreed in the Paris Agreement will not succeed on the chosen path \u2013 with woody biomass combustion.<\/p><p>However, the citizens are not without a chance. In the Netherlands, for example, there has been a striking paradigm shift with regard to biomass in recent years. Two years ago biomass combustion was widely seen as the solution to achieving the Climate Goals, it is now regarded as a problem that we must eliminate as soon as possible.<\/p><p>In the Netherlands, this revolution was largely caused by pressure from society and science. Where political parties, both left and right &#8211; but also and especially the green parties together with the large nature NGOs &#8211; left the biomass dossier for a long time. The Clean Air Committee Comite\u2019 Schone Lucht played an important role by acting as a critical link between politics, science and the energy sector. By not only reacting, but also anticipating current developments and translating the message to society, there has been increasing awareness about the bad side of biomass. At present, a vast majority (98%) in society believes that woody biomass combustion should be banned.<\/p><p>The Netherlands functions as a forerunner in this regard. For this reason, political and social developments in our country are followed with great interest from abroad, not only from the surrounding EU member states, but also from Japan, England, Australia and America. A few years ago biomass proved to be a lucrative business for the energy and forestry industry. Large entrepreneurs and multinationals are now shrinking because they fear major reputational damage by angry citizens, as happened to Vattenfall, among others, but billions of euros in subsidies are at stake.<\/p><p>Against this background, the question is no longer whether biomass will be removed from the renewable energy list, but when. The point of no return has been passed. It is only a matter of time before EU climate policy will eliminate the burning of biomass.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>About us Who is the Clean Air Committee Who are we? 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