Some of the Netherlands’ biggest firms have signed up to join a new corporate lobby group focused on sustainable business.

The lobby group De Groene Zaak has some 30 members so far, including postal company TNT, food group Wessanen and health insurer Menzis.
The Groene Zaak will focus on lobbying politicians and parliament to increase the sustainability of the Dutch economy. At the same time, it hopes to stimulate the introduction of legislation to make it easier for companies to develop and produce sustainable goods and services.
One of its leading principles is that companies should not just focus on short term profits and shareholder value, the NRC reported. ‘The credit crisis has taught us that we should say farewell to that model,’ director Marga Hoek said.