However, where the nitrogen discussion appears to have ended, parties in the House of Representatives are more positive when it comes to climate measures. ‘The parties think they can make it, they gave themselves six weeks. It’s all a little less dramatic than the debate on nitrogen.’
Hurry up or not
The differences between D66 on the one hand and CDA, VVD and ChristenUnie on the other hand are minor. Where Raoul Bouke (D66) mainly wants to hurry (“we can’t wait another fifty years”), Henri Bontebal (CDA) still wants to wait for some reports: “PBL is conducting a rate study, let’s wait and see.”
At the basis of the debate is the IBO report, which proposes around eighty options for achieving climate objectives. “It is clearly stated that the goals will not be achieved with subsidies alone,” says Beekhuis. “It has to hurt, not because it’s a goal, but because it can’t be done without pain.” And that’s mainly against the VVD’s sore leg, thinks Beekhuis. “As far as the VVD is concerned, it doesn’t have to do much harm, they just want to use more subsidies to achieve the goals.”
Bandwidth
The cabinet has indicated in the coalition agreement that it wants to cut CO2 emissions by 55%. However, the policy aims for a 60% reduction, which creates a 5% margin in case a number of projects fail, Beekhuis explains. “The VVD wants to keep the top 60 percent bandwidth, while the IBO report says half of that bandwidth will be 60 percent,” Beekhuis says. ‘According to the CDA, spreadsheet thinking quickly becomes too much when it comes to percentages and megatons. Discussing this is a waste of time.’
Climate and nitrogen policies are strongly intertwined, Beekhuis says. ‘It is interconnected in all sectors. Everyone, every company will sooner or later notice this to a greater or lesser extent. And therefore also agriculture, which today is mainly at odds with itself on the one hand and with politics on the other».
frustration
It has now been agreed that the climate challenge for the agricultural sector will be included in the agriculture agreement which has yet to be concluded. The question is also whether there is enough time to wait. «Minister Adema (Agriculture, ed.) has already said that the agreement will be delayed. So if you are in a hurry with nitrogen and climate policy, but still have to wait for a report that you don’t know when it will arrive, I can imagine that frustration will arise in the House.’
‘The Chamber is putting it in trouble’
For example, the Party for the Animals, among others, are surprised by the link between climate and nitrogen policy. Because the measures that are on the table for nitrogen have minimal impact on the climate, explains Beekhuis. ‘CO2 enters the air and travels around the world, while nitrogen measurements look at where the emissions go.’
Debate in the House of Representatives has primarily been about how to approach the proposed plans. The content of the plans has been discussed to a limited extent. “The Chamber makes it difficult for itself,” says Beekhuis. “Normally, with a debate like this, they first wait for the minister’s response. But this is not done now.’
Car rent
There has been talk between the lines of tax benefits for large companies when it comes to limiting emissions. ‘The differences are big compared to small emitters. For example, large companies pay low energy taxes, while small users, people at home, pay a relatively high tax. The minister wants to reduce this difference,’ says Beekhuis. It is not clear in what form this should take place.
In addition, there was also talk of a ban on the sale of new petrol cars. It should start in 2030, but it is not possible because 2035 has been agreed in Europe. That is why the minister wants new lease agreements from 2030 to be concluded only for electric cars.