Climate change mitigation - Outlook 2020 (Netherlands)

Figure 2 – Historical and projected greenhouse gas emissions in the Netherlands

Source: Environmental Balance 2009 (PBL)

With current implemented policies, greenhouse gas emissions are projected to rise to between 225 and 261 Mtonnes CO₂ equivalent by 2020. This range includes uncertainty about economic developments and is 6-23 % higher than emissions in the base year 1990.

The Kyoto target for the Netherlands is likely to be met, mainly due to the recession and by using the flexible mechanisms of the Kyoto Protocol. The required emission reduction for the Netherlands under the Kyoto Protocol was set at a 6 % emission reduction below 1990 levels, corresponding to an average emission level of 200 Mtonnes CO₂ equivalents, annually. The recession has lowered emission projections for the 2008-2012 period to an average of nearly 200 Mtonnes CO₂ equivalents, annually (range is 190 to 210 Mtonnes). The Dutch Government may still need to use the flexible mechanisms, since for non-ETS sectors a shortage in emission rights of -10 to 50 Mtonnes is projected, whereas for ETS sectors a surplus of emission rights of 5 to 45 Mtonnes is projected. The government has already contracted sufficient Clean Development Mechanisms (CDMs) and Joint Implementation (JI) emission units to compensate the underachieving non-ETS sectors. Additional information on this subject can be found at:

http://www.pbl.nl/en/publications/2009/Environmental-Balance-2009.-Summary.html