The cabinet has agreed on an “ambitious, fair and feasible” climate package. The plans result in an additional reduction of 22 megatons of CO2 emissions in 2030. This means that the goal of emitting at least 55 percent less carbon dioxide (greenhouse gases) in 2030 than in 1990 can be amply achieved. The coalition parties even hope that this will achieve 60 percent.
Climate Minister Rob Jetten presented the package with a total of 120 climate measures. It involves 28 billion euros. This means that the largest part of the climate fund with 35 billion euros has now been allocated. Part of the money had already been ‘spent’.
Only the 4.7 billion for the development of nuclear energy is left. The government already wanted two new nuclear power plants to be added, but no decision has yet been taken on this. The climate plan now includes that the government will also commit itself to accelerating the development of smaller nuclear reactors. 65 million has been reserved for this.
The intention is to distribute “the benefits and burdens” as much as possible. “The cabinet believes it is crucial that climate policy works for everyone, regardless of place of residence, age or income,” says Jetten. “Especially also for people who are now even less able to keep up due to money worries, limited time or less digital skills.”
The measures are mainly aimed at reducing CO2 emissions in industry, mobility and electricity generation. The target for the electricity sector has been tightened: it must be CO2-free by 2035. In industry, the cabinet wants to reduce another 5 megatonnes by 2030, bringing the total for this sector to 20 percent.
In the discussions about the climate plans, the theme of mobility was a particularly thorny issue, because the VVD had different views on this than the coalition partners. Last night a compromise was found, with which Rutte’s party agrees. It has been agreed that mobility is responsible for a total reduction of 1.8 megatons.
Gasoline a few cents per liter more expensive
The controversial blending obligation of petrol with biofuel has been relaxed considerably. Officials advised to mix 50 petajoules, the cabinet is now making 20 of that. As a result, the price of petrol will become a few cents per liter more expensive in a year’s time.
In addition, 600 million will be reserved for the subsidy for the purchase of second-hand electric cars. To pay for this, the fixed foot in the BPM, the purchase tax for cars, will increase by 200 euros. Another 90 million will be added to this for an expansion of the charging station network.
A plan to oblige leasing companies to only work with electric cars from 2025 has been cancelled. Instead, employers are forced to make their employees drive ‘greener’. In business traffic, a 0.5 megaton reduction must be achieved by encouraging electric driving, the use of public transport and working from home.
Accessible
Jetten explained that the cabinet’s climate plans are a combination of standards, pricing and incentives. The 28 billion euros will mainly be used to get everyone involved in the transition.
There will be counters where citizens and companies can apply for subsidies “as easily as possible” for insulation and sustainability, for example.
He emphasized that it is inevitable that the landscape in the Netherlands will change, because there will be more wind turbines and solar parks. At those solar parks, it will also be mandatory to build large batteries to store the electricity for times with cloudy weather. The new buildings will be integrated into the landscape as much as possible, the minister promised.
Jetten acknowledged that the whole process will be “exciting” and will sometimes meet with resistance. “It will occasionally pinch and it will sometimes make people insecure.” Nevertheless, he believes now is the time to accelerate climate policy. “The time of non-commitment is over.”
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