News item | 26-10-2023 | 10:43
The government today presented the Climate Memorandum 2023. For the first time, the climate target of a 55% emission reduction by 2030 is in sight, provided that the development and implementation of climate policy continues expeditiously. The Cabinet will continue to work on this during its outgoing period.
Progress on climate goals
Climate change is the challenge for our generation. The government has therefore been working on ambitious, fair and implementable climate policy since taking office. For example, the Climate Policy Program of June 2022 was supplemented in the spring of this year to achieve a coherent policy package of standards, subsidies and pricing.
With this policy – the Cabinet concludes based on the new PBL figures from the Climate and Energy Outlook 2023 – the Netherlands is on track for at least a 55% reduction in 2030. For example, the PBL indicates that the expected greenhouse gas reduction in 2030, based on the policy, will amount to approximately 46-57% compared to 1990. Moreover, according to previous Cabinet estimates, the measures that have not yet been included in the estimate by PBL could result in an additional reduction of approximately 4 percentage points. For comparison: in 2022 there was still a 41-52% reduction.
Minister Jetten for Climate and Energy: “It is extremely good news that according to the PBL figures, the climate goals for 2030 are coming into view for the first time. We are on the right track and it is important that we now continue to develop and implement our plans.”
Execution and elaboration as a condition
A condition for achieving these goals is that the elaboration and implementation of that policy continues expeditiously. The Cabinet has started working on this policy and will continue to work on it during its outgoing period. For example, the fiscal package on which decision-making was completed in the spring will be fully included in the 2024 Tax Plan and the 2024 Multi-Year Climate Fund Program will include the financial processing of subsidy measures that were part of the Spring Memorandum Package.
In addition, the first five-year revision of the Climate Plan will take place in 2024 on the basis of the Climate Act. This new Climate Plan will address the strategy towards climate neutrality in 2050 and outline the concrete outlines for the policy agenda for the period 2025-2035. In preparation for the decision-making on this matter, the outgoing Cabinet is continuing to work on the preparation and will send a contour letter on the climate plan in November. This letter outlines the most important dilemmas in long-term policy, including associated options.
National Climate Week
The Climate Day takes place prior to the National Climate Week, which starts on October 30. During National Climate Week, the sustainable initiatives of citizens, companies and municipalities are put in the spotlight.