Netherlands climate goals criticized for driving emissions abroad

Energy experts Remco de Boer and emeritus lecturer Martien Visser argue that the Netherlands' national climate goals may be counterproductive to environmental protection. They contend that legally mandated domestic CO2 reductions often result in the displacement of industries and emissions to other countries.

According to recent data from the Compendium for the Environment and Statistics Netherlands (CBS), exported CO2 emissions doubled over the last decade, which largely offset domestic reductions. Consequently, the total greenhouse gas footprint of the Netherlands increased by 4 percent between 2014 and 2022.

Visser has advised that CO2 reduction achieved through displacement should no longer be classified as a climate goal. He noted that previous measures, such as the industrial CO2 levy suspended by former Minister Sophie Hermans, drove companies out of the country without actually reducing global emissions. Despite these findings, the current Minister of Climate and Green Growth, Stientje van Veldhoven, has not yet addressed these conclusions.