Our policy objectives
While Benelux member countries have consistently expressed their ambition to further increase integration, this has not happened yet, mainly due to the need for a greater political alignment. As a result, there is still untapped potential for impactful joint projects that could benefit from enhanced EU support, both financial and non-financial.
There is a significant gap between industry’s cross-border potential and policymakers’ inward-focused perspective. The BBR is bridging this gap.
Only through continuous exchange between industrial stakeholders and policymakers, can we break down barriers, enhance competitiveness and drive economic growth, ensuring the Benelux region reach its full economic potential without delays.
A powerful illustration of our work
Since its start the BBR has promoted the creation of a Benelux energy union. The announcement of the European Green Deal and the energy crisis have put energy firmly at the top priority of BBR’s priorities.
Over the last three years BBR has advocated to:
Accelerate the construction of critical energy infrastructure in the Benelux: Remove cross-border regulatory bottlenecks (i.e. permitting delays) to ensure that major energy infrastructure projects can move forward without disruption.
Integrate the Benelux energy market. Eliminate policy fragmentation and harmonise market conditions (i.e. network tariffs). The Benelux can be a sandbox for future integration of the EU energy market.
Ensure fair competition: Align national energy policies to ensure a level playing field for businesses and organisations.
Unlock capital for strategic cross-border investments and the creation of lead markets
Identify and facilitate joint financing for strategic projects. Move away from national funding silos to truly accelerate investment in cross-border energy infrastructure.
Our impact
Within BBR, we work together in an a-political, business-driven and solution-oriented manner. Since its establishment in 2015, the BBR has worked closely with Benelux institutions and national governments, becoming a valued partner in shaping regional policy. Since its start BBR has presented positions and recommendations to the Benelux institutions and national governments, among which:
2024
Organization of first public private conference on Benelux value chains for CO2 and H2 with Benelux Unie and Energy Mission
Presentation of BBR Memorandum on Cross Border Hydrogen and CCS Value Chains
2023
BBR input to Letta report
2022
Presentation of list of priorities for Benelux industry
2021
BBR Masterplan: “How Benelux’s industry and power sector could become carbon neutral by 2050”
2020
Benelux Green Deal paper with focus on CCUS and Hydrogen
2019
Call for rapid ratification on London Protocol amendment
2018
Benelux Energy White Paper
2017
Presentation on Benelux Mobility Summit
2016
Recommendation on Digital Single Market Platform
2015
Recommendation on Labor Mobility