Dutch climate challenge: Direction clear, uncertainties great

The Dutch government has announced ambitious climate targets for the
Netherlands. The emission of greenhouse gases needs to be reduced by 49% by 2030 compared to the base year of 1990. In 2018, this target shall be translated into a new climate agreement and embedded in a climate law. The energy transition in the Netherlands has an important extra dimension: gas extraction in the province of Groningen will be reduced to zero and 2030 is also the target year for that.

As 'simple' as the targets sound, achieving them is a complex and vast task. It encompasses everything from basic industry to the individual consumer whose home is heated with the familiar gas-fired central heating boiler. Currently, the Dutch Environmental Assessment Agency estimates the additional costs of the targets set by the cabinet at between € 2 and something more than € 3 billion per year.

Insight into targets, certainties and uncertainties
In the coming decades, climate and related energy transition will determine the appearance of the Dutch economy: of public finances, the household purse, business investments and risks. 

The purpose of this publication is to use figures to provide a better understanding of the climate challenge and the other associated challenges. What are the most important targets? What has been the trend in the emission of greenhouse gases? What is asked of the sectors to achieve the climate targets by 2030 and what are the most important certainties and uncertainties?

1 | Greenhouse gas emissions in the Netherlands

2 | Transition in the power sector

3 | Transition in the industry

4 | Transition in the built environment

5 | Transition in the transport sector

6 | Transition in the agricultural sector