News item | 01-11-2022 | 16:45
Climate Minister Rob Jetten presented the Climate Memorandum to the House of Representatives today on behalf of the cabinet. In the short term, greenhouse gas emissions in the Netherlands will fall sharply, so it looks like the Urgenda target will be achieved this year. At the same time, the government still has homework to do to achieve its long-term ambitions. That is why the government is committed to tightening up and accelerating climate policy and expeditious implementation of existing climate plans.
Climate goals progress
Climate target 2030
The government has announced a substantial package of climate measures in the coalition agreement. These plans provide additional reductions, but the estimated reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in 2030 is not yet in line with the tightening of the target from 49% to 55% emission reductions in 2030 compared to 1990. Based on current policy, the reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 41-52% in 2030 compared to 1990. It should be noted that the government expects the actual emission reduction in 2030 to be higher. This is because part of the climate policy announced in the coalition agreement and policy arising from the European climate negotiations has not yet been elaborated sufficiently and has therefore not yet been included in the calculation of the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency. Nevertheless, the government is committed to tightening up and accelerating climate policy, so that greenhouse gas emissions are reduced by at least 55% by 2030.
Urgenda judgment
The emissions of the Dutch economy have fallen sharply this year. Compared to last year, emissions fell by an average of 10% in the first half of this year. This means that it appears that the target resulting from the Urgenda decision – 25% greenhouse gas reduction compared to 1990 – will be achieved this year.
Minister Jetten for Climate and Energy: “With every climate forecast, we see that greenhouse gas emissions continue to fall. So we are on the right track, but the figures also show that we are not yet going to achieve the climate goals. So more has to be done and it also has to be done faster. One thing is clear to me as a climate minister: we will do what is necessary to achieve the climate goals by 2030 and to prepare the Netherlands for a sustainable future. That is the only way to prevent major or even irreversible damage from climate change and to provide a livable planet for future generations. We will prepare the decisions that are necessary for this in the coming period.”
From ambition to action
The government’s climate plans are as ambitious as ever. This has been confirmed by, among others, the Council of State and the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency. In order to realize the ambitions, it comes down to the energetic implementation of the climate plans. That is why the government wants to accelerate its climate action along four lines. First of all, by continuing at full speed with the elaboration of already announced climate policy, such as the Climate Fund and the Climate Citizens Council, and accelerating where possible. Important legislation and regulations for the climate and energy transition, such as the Heat Act and the Energy Act, will also be amended in the near future. In addition, the cabinet is preparing new measures and tightening up of climate policy by means of a major interdepartmental policy study. In the spring, all these tracks will come together and the cabinet will decide on a robust package of measures aimed at achieving 60% less greenhouse gas emissions in the Netherlands by 2030 compared to 1990. The cabinet is consciously aiming higher than 55%, so that greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 has been reduced by at least 55%. Finally, the government will also work in an international context, such as at the Climate Summit in Egypt, to achieve concrete climate ambition, including keeping the 1.5°C target within reach and more and better access to climate finance for developing countries.
Scientific Climate Council
The cabinet also announced today that it will establish a scientific climate council by royal decree that will assess and advise on climate policy. With this decision, the recruitment of the chairman can be started in the short term and by means of an open application procedure.