Interview with Alderman René van Drunen on sustainability and Marc Cornelissen

The research work of sustainability pioneer Marc Cornelissen enjoys notoriety at home and abroad. In his hometown of Kerkrade, however, the mention of his name rings few bells. A pity, agrees Alderman René van Drunen, whose responsibilities include the environment and sustainability. "Especially now that we need to make haste with sustainability and circularity, Marc can be a source of inspiration for all residents and entrepreneurs in Kerkrade.

The energy transition, using materials more economically, using waste as a raw material, stopping global warming. These are the themes of our time that affect everyone, but at the same time they are also far removed from the average citizen.

Awareness

'Awareness is the biggest challenge,' says René van Drunen, Alderman Alderman since the last elections in 2022. 'We do know that it is getting warmer and warmer, we experience the consequences of heavy rain showers and heat stress ourselves, we see programs on TV about problems with drinking water. But really taking action is another story. Something of the government. Or it's being denied. Nothing about it, there are politicians shouting it. Unbelievable. At the next elections in three years, I hope that I have been able to convince more Kerkradeans to do their bit. Because the transition is something for all of us, not just the municipality, the government.

Energy Crisis

René van Drunen fell head over heels last May when he signed on to be alderman with Youth Care, Public Health, Environmental Waste and Sustainability in his portfolio. 'You name it. War in Ukraine with an energy crisis at our place as a direct result. Families and businesses were faced with huge energy bills. Very painful and reason for us to immediately address the worst emergency. With soft loans for citizens and companies to invest in insulation and solar panels. With an energy counter, with energy coaches. With concrete help, apart from the measures from The Hague. The pot of three million euros for loans was emptied very quickly, but a year later I see that much more needs to be done. We don't reach everyone.

Do more

Reason for the Alderman to step it up a notch. Energy coaches and officials are going into the neighborhoods, holding consultation hours at community centers, and after the summer the coaches will be making home visits. 'They will ring the doorbell and tell what the possibilities are. Especially the residents of old and low-quality houses are hit hardest. And they in particular know little about cheap loans, subsidies and schemes. We want to help. Because it is our job, but also because reducing energy consumption is one of the most important weapons against climate change. We must get rid of fossil energy, generate our own green power. Also at the local level. We are going to enthuse our residents, ask them to share the information with neighbors, family and friends. Like an ever-growing oil slick.'

Marc Cornelissen

Whether that includes the name of Marc Cornelissen, René van Drunen is afraid to say. He knows that scientific treatises and complicated technical stories do not find an audience everywhere. However, the intention is to pay attention to the ideas of the man who died during a research expedition at the North Pole in 2015 during the Sustainability Festival in the fall. 'Because I also believe in technological innovations and solutions. I understand that great ideas have again been submitted for the Marc Cornelissen Brightlands Award in the field of circularity and sustainability. Important, because on the one hand we have to take measures ourselves and learn to deal with climate change, and on the other hand there is technology to develop.

Forerunner

Kerkrade not only wants to act in the spirit of Marc Cornelissen, the city council aspires to a pioneering role. "Definitely," says René van Drunen. "Kerkrade is a town with relatively many older people who suffer a lot from heat stress. The term energy poverty is alive and well here. We need to take quick action for our citizens. Insulate, green, commit to circularity. We have already done the necessary projects with circular demolition and construction, by 2050 Kerkrade will be gas-free. Once we made the transition here from coal to gas, now we are transforming to green energy. We can do it and we are going to prove it. In the spirit of Marc Cornelissen who also did not shy away from any challenge. We also want to pioneer and realize solutions. For the next generations, for our children and grandchildren. We have three children and one grandchild. There must be a future for them. That is my personal motivation.

Source : www.marccornelissenbrightlandsaward.com