THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — The Dutch government’s climate watchdog warned Thursday that the Netherlands is “very unlikely” to achieve a European Union-mandated reduction in heat-trapping greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 unless it takes urgent action. Tougher legislation is needed to achieve the target of a 55% reduction in emissions by 2030 compared to 1990 levels, the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency said in a report that concluded the country is on track to a reduction of 44-52% based on current and pending plans. “Only more policies that achieve swift reductions can bring the 2030 goal closer,” the agency said in its annual report on climate and energy that was published shortly before a United Nations climate conference known as COP29 opens in Azerbaijan next month.
The 55% reduction is part of a legally binding package of measures agreed to by EU leaders . The Dutch environment agency’s emissions reduction forecast this year is lower than a year ago, when it said a reduction of 46-57% was possible. “This is partly due to setbacks in implementation, such as delays in offshore wind farms and stagnation in the production of green hydrogen.
But political choices in the past year also resulted in less expected emission reductions,” it said. Sophie Hermans, the government’s minister for climate and green growth, said in a reaction that the report “shows that we have to work hard to keep the climate target for 2030 in sight.” Hermans said s.
