A study by the NewClimate Institute for Friends of the Earth Netherlands suggests that 29 mayor Dutch companies may not be in a position to achieve 2030 climate goals.

The report said that while global emissions ‘must be halved by 2030 to stay below 1.5°C of global warming, the 21 companies commit to reductions of just 19% on average.’

AkzoNobel, BAM Group, DSM, Stellantis and Tata Steel Netherlands were assessed as having ‘moderate integrity’ in terms of their plans to reduce emissions and aim to become carbon neutral.

However, the study rated firms including Ahold Delhaize – owners of Albert Heijn supermarkets – FrieslandCampina, KLM, Schiphol Group and Unilever Nederland as having ‘low integrity’. Others such as Boskalis, bp Nederland and ExxonMobil Benelux were rated as having ‘very low integrity’.

Financial institutions did somewhat better, with ING, NN Group and PFZW raded as ‘reasonable’ in terms of their aims for a more environmentally-friendly investment portfolio.

The report claimed that there is a ‘need for scrutiny of corporate climate pledges’ and that emissions should be tracked and disclosed.

The Paris agreement, made in 2015, aims to limit average global temperature rises to well below 2°C and preferably 1.5°C, by reducing emissions of harmful gases around the world.

Separately, a report by ABN Amro has found that 40% of transport companies are not ready to use electric-only vehicles by 2030.