The fact that the government is still not meeting its 2030 climate targets is unfortunate for part of the opposition. The PvdA has given Minister Rob Jetten (Climate and Energy) a ‘yellow card’ in a debate. GroenLinks categorically disapproves of its climate policy. MEP Suzanne Kröger believes the cabinet is “completely inadequate” and said she could not agree “on a package that falls short of its objectives”.
Joris Thijssen (PvdA) has given Jetten “one last chance” to present plans in March that add up to a 60% reduction in CO2 emissions. It has been agreed in the coalition agreement that this will be targeted. According to the Dutch Environmental Assessment Agency (PBL), the government will go no further than reducing emissions by 39 to 50 percent compared to 1990 with current and proposed policy.
The coalition parties reacted with annoyance above all to the harsh words of the PvdA. Raoul Boucke (D66) wondered aloud whether Thijssen’s conducting of opponents ‘maybe deserves a red card’.
Other parties are also critical of climate policy. Christine Teunissen (Partij voor de Dieren) calls it a “charade”. She still sees a lot of “climate taboos” in the cabinet, which she wouldn’t want to talk about flying less and drastically reducing livestock. According to Laurens Dassen (Volt), “all alarm bells should ring”.
Faster policies are needed
The parties are responding to Climate and Energy Outlook (KEV) data released by PBL earlier this month. According to the planning office, both faster implementation and additional policy are needed. With ‘planned’ plans that have not yet materialised, the percentage reduction in emissions can be increased from 41 to 52 per cent.
The government wants to reduce emissions by at least 55 percent by 2030. To achieve this goal, even if there are setbacks, aim for 60 percent. CDA and VVD underlined that some of the plans were still too vague to be calculated. “This will make a big difference,” said VVD member Silvio Erkens. “The target really seems to be closer than other parties here suggest.”
Source: BNR
Fernando Dowling is an author and political journalist who writes for 24 News Globe. He has a deep understanding of the political landscape and a passion for analyzing the latest political trends and news.
