Netherlands

The Netherlands rises to 5th in this year’s CCPI, among the high performing countries and second only to leader Denmark. The country receives a high rating in Renewable Energy and GHG Emissions and medium in Climate Policy, but its high energy consumption leads to a low ranking in Energy Use.

In 2019, the Netherlands adopted a climate law setting a binding target for reducing domestic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 95% by 2050, with an intermediate goal of a 49% reduction by 2030, compared with 1990 levels. The previous government, led by Prime Minister Mark Rutte, raised the 2030 target to at least a 55% reduction and committed to climate neutrality in 2050. From July 2024, the Netherlands has been governed by a new, more right-leaning coalition of four parties, headed by Prime Minister Dick Schoof. The new government has adopted the same 2030 and 2050 targets.

Continuation of Previous Government’s Policies, but with Signs of Strategic Change and Weakening

While it was already uncertain whether the former government’s policies and measures were sufficient to meet the 55% target, the new government has weakened implementation efforts by weakening several measures. The CCPI national experts assess that the current government is largely continuing the policy of the previous one regarding climate and energy, though the objectives are now more oriented to strategic independence of energy and benefitting from the energy transition’s economic chances. In the transport sector, progress largely depends on EU standards for automobiles. Electric cars receive stimulus through tax reductions, though these incentives are reduced. Meanwhile, bicycles remain highly popular among the Dutch for short-distance transport and can be rented at train stations.

The Netherlands has the highest per capita installed capacity of solar photovoltaic in Europe and needs more grid infrastructure to keep up with renewable energy’s rapid expansion. A large-scale stimulus is in place for renewable energy, through a feed-in premium system (SDE+) with an annual budget of EUR 3.2 billion. This compensation scheme for households will be terminated. The CCPI experts criticise that, while the current support scheme is unfair for (low-income) households without solar PV, it will not be replaced by another, improved support scheme that, for instance, supports maximum self-consumption of the solar electricity produced.

Renewables Continue Advancing Amid a Somewhat Uncertain Climate Outlook

The Netherlands has strongly emphasised offshore wind energy, but the experts signal that the new government has stopped key measures for promoting solar energy. The fossil gas infrastructure in the Netherlands is being maintained and prepared for conversion to hydrogen use. The use of coal for electricity production will be banned by 2030. Newly built houses and buildings are no longer connected to the gas grid. The Groningen gas field, one of Europe’s largest, was closed in April 2024. And the construction of a CO2 transport network, part of the Porthos project, has recently begun.

As one of the world’s largest exporters of agricultural products, the Netherlands faces high levels of nitrogen pollution and agricultural GHG emissions. However, thus far, the government’s implementation of agreed upon EU targets for nitrogen and water remains weak. Measures in place cannot sufficiently address the problem and the new government has signalled it will further weaken efforts. In forestry, the current strategy has ambitious goals, but these are unlikely to be met as clear policy instruments are lacking.

While the Netherlands supports EU targets in international climate negotiations, the new government is reluctant about a strong EU 2040 target.

Key Outcomes

CCPI Experts

The following national experts agreed to be mentioned as contributors for this year’s CCPI:

• Sible Schöne (HIER)
• Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency