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Strategic Outlook for the Netherlands: Climate Agreement
Historically, the Netherlands rely heavily on natural gas for heating of buildings. But current environmental goals are challenging that situation. According to the National Climate Agreement, the emission of greenhouse gases should be reduced by 49% until the year 2030, compared to the emission levels in 1990.

The way forward on how to fulfil this Agreement has been carved out through a joint work between the government, businesses and NGOs. In total, more than a hundred stakeholders have co-operated on proposals on how to reach the target. The work has been divided between five sector platforms, focusing on Built environment, Mobility, Industry, Electricity, and Agriculture and land use, respectively. This article focuses on the results regarding Built environment.

Heat pumping technologies are identified as being important in the transition of the energy system that is necessary in order to reach the target. The Netherlands are already one of the European countries where heat pump sales are growing quickly. But end-users show concern regarding both the affordability of the installations and the quality regarding noise and comfort.

The total necessary emission reduction of CO2-equivalents until 2030 amounts to 48.7 Mton. This has been spread out between the five sectors, and 3.4 Mtons are assigned to the built environment. A strategy is formed for the sector, saying that sustainability efforts should be implemented in at least 50,000 homes during 2021. Until 2030, the pace should be increased to at least 200,000 homes per year. Part of the strategy is that municipalities, together with stakeholders, will create visions for their future heat supply, including a timetable for phasing out use of natural gas. Which solution to choose will vary between cities and districts, and municipal authorities will provide insight into the social costs and benefits and the integral costs for the end-users.

The possibility to succeed with such a drastic cut in little more than ten years is dependent on efforts and commitments from various actors. To some extent, such commitments are already in place. One example on this is an amendment of the energy tax, leading to higher taxation on natural gas than on electricity. Another example is to make better use of the heat sources provided by the ground and the surface water. There are also commitments regarding measures for private homes.

Marion Bakker, the Netherlands (Netherlands Enterprise Agency/ IEA HPT TCP NL delegate)

The text has been shortened by the HPC team


Read the full article here.

Read the full text in the HPT Magazine