On July 14, the European Commission will present the long-awaited “Fit for 55” legislative package. It is the first legal stipulation supporting the European Green Deal climate actions aimed at making Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. “Fit for 55” will “update the EU’s 2030 climate and energy laws to reflect the 55% net emissions reduction target that the EU set for 2030” [1].

Some countries are already on the right track to meet the necessary emissions reduction, whereas others face a relatively large task to achieve the European climate objectives. Per capita emissions in the Netherlands, for example, are a third higher than the EU average, and double that of Sweden [2]. The Dutch Environmental Assessment Agency (“PBL”) compared the reduction in emissions between 1990 and 2019 in the Netherlands with results in Germany, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, France, and the United Kingdom. The Netherlands was the only country that did not manage to reduce emissions to a level below 1990 levels during that period, concluded PBL [3].

In the verdict of the famous Urgenda case in 2018, the Dutch National Government was ordered to do more to limit the emission of greenhouse gases in the Netherlands [4]. The Dutch Court of Appeal required a 25% reduction in 2020 compared to 1990. However, preliminary figures from the Dutch Statistics have shown that even in Corona year 2020, which was characterised by less traffic and economic activity, estimated emissions reduction was only 24.5% lower compared to 1990 [5].

Last month, the newly appointed Dutch State Secretary for Economic Affairs and Climate Change Dilan Yesilgöz presented a long list of measures that should finally meet the 25% reduction target. It applies to various sectors, such as industry, agriculture, transportation, and energy [6].

Since it has become apparent that the required target has not been achieved on time, plaintiff Urgenda will impose a penalty payment on the Dutch state through the court. Director of the Dutch NGO Marjan Minnesma expects a claim between 100 million and 2 billion euros. Yesilgöz regrets that Urganda will not await the implementation of the listed measures, but it can be concluded that the Dutch state missed its opportunity to adapt its policy to meet its target on time [5].

Ultimately, this disadvantages everyone, including the Dutch state, because quick measures to increase sustainability are more expensive than measures included in long-term policy objectives.

Bibliography

[1] European Commission. (2021, 8 June). Fit for 55 package’: local leaders ready to take the helm as Council adopts a €17.5 billion Just Transition Fund. Retrieved 29 July 2021, from https://cor.europa.eu/en/news/Pages/ENVE-COMMISSION-Fit-for-55-package.aspx

[2] Maree, K. (2021, 29 June). PBL: klimaataanpak Nederland loopt achter bij buurlanden. NRC Handelsblad. Retrieved 29 June 2021, from https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2021/06/29/pbl-klimaataanpak-nederland-loopt-achter-bij-buurlanden-a4049138

[3] Boot, P. (2021, June). Ervaringen met energie-en klimaatbeleid in omringende landen: Wat kunnen we ervan leren? Centraal Planbureau. Downloaded 29 June 2021, from https://www.pbl.nl/sites/default/files/downloads/pbl-2021-ervaringen-met-energie-en-klimaatbeleid-in-omringende-landen-wat-kunnen-we-ervan-leren-4647.pdf

[4] Hoekstra, E. (2021, 16 April). Climate justice as a human right. Retrieved 29 June 2021, from https://greenmarked.it/climate-justice-as-a-human-right/

[5] Van der Walle, E. (2021, 28 June). Urgenda weigert ‘genaaid’ te worden en voert bij kabinet druk op. NRC Handelsblad. Retrieved 29 June 2021, from https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2021/06/28/urgenda-weigert-genaaid-te-worden-en-voert-bij-kabinet-druk-op-a4049097

[6] Rijksoverheid. (2021, 25 June). Kamerbrief over uitvoering motie Thijssen over Urgendavonnis en langetermijn-klimaatbeleid. Downloaded 30 June 2021, from https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/ministeries/ministerie-van-economische-zaken-en-klimaat/documenten/kamerstukken/2021/06/25/kamerbrief-over-uitvoering-motie-thijssen-over-urgendavonnis-en-langetermijn-klimaatbeleid