AMSTERDAM, Oct 25 (Reuters) - Dozens of Dutch companiescalled on the country's next government on Tuesday to establishan independent climate authority, environment minister andnational investment bank to speed up the shift to clean energy.
The rare call for more government came from 39 companies,including oil giant Royal Dutch Shell, insurer Aegon and engineering consultancy Arcadis.
They argued that future Dutch leaders must adopt acomprehensive "climate law" after the general elections nextMarch 15 that would establish bodies to oversee policies neededto meet targets set out in the 2015 Paris climate accord.
The coalition "wants to be part of the solution and choosesunequivocally to accelerate the energy transition," the openletter said. "Acceleration costs more, but yields more. Itoffers the Netherlands the chance to be a leader insustainability."
After falling behind on its own emissions reduction targets,the Dutch government said earlier this month that it may meetits 2020 carbon dioxide emission goals after all due to a fasterrollout of wind energy and 100 million euros ($110 million) inextra spending.
Prime Minister Mark Rutte called the goal "within grasp"after the Dutch Environmental Assessment Agency estimated carbonreduction by 2020 will be around 23 percent, compared to 1990levels, up from a previous estimate of only 17 percent.
A dedicated climate authority would oversee theimplementation of policies, while the national investment bankwould fund innovation and large-scale energy projects, the groupsaid. (Reporting by Anthony Deutsch; Editing by Tom Heneghan)
