Energy Transitions podcast: How Rotterdam turned from energy transition underdog to trendsetter
Rotterdam is notorious for its polluting industry. However, there is hope on this emissions-filled horizon, according to Rotterdam Vice Mayor, Chantal Zeegers.

Rotterdam, a Dutch city with one of the biggest ports in the world, is notorious for its polluting industry. In fact, the city's harbour is responsible for 20% of all emissions in the Netherlands and has more work to do than most cities to achieve climate neutrality.
However, there is hope on this emissions-heavy horizon, according to Rotterdam Vice Mayor, Chantal Zeegers.
In this episode of the Energy Transitions podcast, Zeegers, who considers herself a proud 'Rotterdammer', spoke to Pamela Largue about how this city is becoming a trendsetter in terms of implementing net-zero strategies.
Zeegers shares the positive progress being made across Rotterdam industry and society and answers the following questions:
- How is Rotterdam balancing industrial growth with achieving energy transition?
- How is the city ensuring its citizens participate in and profit from the sustainability agenda?
- What policies are being employed to achieve deep decarbonisation?
- How is the national government collaborating with industry for green operations?
- Which clean energy technologies, resources and projects are making the biggest impact in Rotterdam?
- How are strong "conviction and cooperation" turning this city from an underdog into a trendsetter of energy transition in the Netherlands and Europe?
Rotterdam is the host city for the World Energy Congress taking place from 22-25 April 2024. According to Zeegers, the city is well suited to such an event as it showcases innovative solutions to all aspects of the energy transition and the impacts of climate change.
This episode is brought to you in partnership with the World Energy Council leading up to the 26th World Energy Congress in Rotterdam, 22-25 April 2024.
Register to be a part of the conversation

LISTEN NOW
Previous episodes:
Transformational leadership in energy with Dr Angela Wilkinson
Achieving just transition – The wicked problem of our time
Energy Transitions Podcast: How to de-risk cleantech investments
More about Rotterdam:
Rotterdam: Driving the energy transition with action, not words
Rotterdam fuels its own energy transition with hydrogen
Port of Rotterdam – How to make the biggest European port carbon neutral
Related tags
Latest content
Why Rotterdam is no longer the underdog of energy transition
Rotterdam, an industrial giant and one of the world's biggest polluters, has big hurdles to overcome to be climate-neutral by 2050 and to ensure its people are ready to embrace the energy transition. Pamela Largue asked Vice Mayor Chantal Zeegers about the city's decarbonisation plans.
- Pamela Largue
- 19/04/2024










