The Dutch government unveiled a new plan to cut pollution.
Author: Mike Corder
The Dutch government unveiled a new package on April 26, 2023 to slash carbon emissions by promoting clean energy, sustainable homes and industry and the use of electric cars among other a raft of measures to combat climate change.
Climate and Energy Minister Rob Jetten said the package would cost a total of 28 billion euros in coming years and lead to a reduction of 55%-60% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030 compared to 1990 benchmark levels. “We are working towards a completely climate-neutral and circular economy by 2050. For that we really have to wean ourselves off fossil fuels and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions," he said.
He pitched the package as a win-win scenario for the Netherlands — making it a leader in the energy transition needed to slow global warming while reducing dependency on external suppliers such as Russia.“The climate challenges of today also create the economic opportunities for tomorrow," he told repors in The Hague.
“If we lead the way in the green transition, we in the Netherlands will also reap the benefits for years to come,” he added. “By putting a lot of effort into our own renewable energy, we make ourselves less dependent on fossil energy from dubious regimes. We have our own clean and sustainable energy supply and therefore no longer have to be blackmailed by types such as (Russian President Vladimir) Putin.”