Reactions

The cabinet has today approved the climate package of Minister Jetten, that if “ambitious and fair”, is described. Politicians from the government parties endorse this, according to initial reactions, but not everyone outside the coalition is happy about it.

More than 28 billion has been earmarked for Jetten’s plan. This should result in an additional reduction of 22 megatons of CO2 emissions by 2030, which means that at least 55 percent fewer greenhouse gases can be emitted than in 1990. The coalition parties even hope that 60 percent will be achieved.

Member of Parliament Raoul Boucke of D66, party member of Jetten, sounds extremely satisfied: “With this package we are fulfilling our promise to make the Netherlands a climate leader. Today we celebrate that success, tomorrow we will continue to build our sustainable future.” close he sent off a series of messages on Twitter.

Silvio Erkens of the VVD also sounds mostly positive, but calls the feasibility and affordability “crucial”: “As a Member of Parliament, I will continue to monitor the costs for households and entrepreneurs in the elaboration and implementation of these climate measures.” say Erkens.

Henri Bontenbal (CDA) calls it “nice” that “a number of good steps” can be taken “in making our beautiful country more sustainable”. He also does not fail to point out that he himself provided ideas for the plans: “That is why I entered politics.”

The ChristenUnie is also satisfied with its own work: “Since the ChristenUnie has been in the cabinet, things have changed: as a country, we finally take care of creation really seriously,” says ChristenUnie leader Mirjam Bikker.

But there is criticism from the opposition: “This package is not convincing”, says Green-Left MP Suzanne Kröger on Twitter. “It lacks the inspiration that climate policy so badly needs. The big steps towards a clean and healthy society. Clean air, a solution to the nitrogen crisis and the climate approach go hand in hand, if you dare to choose.”

PVV leader Wilders is fed up Twitter about “excessive and unaffordable nitrogen and climate measures”.

Environmental organization Greenpeace is moderately enthusiastic about the plans. “Every step taken to reduce our emissions has been taken into account. That is why we are happy that the government is taking these measures,” said Faiza Oulahsen, head of climate and energy at Greenpeace.

“Nevertheless, we would like to point out that a significant acceleration is still needed. The Netherlands will have to do even more to contribute to limiting warming to 1.5 degrees,” says Oulahsen.

The car industry is criticizing the plan to make the purchase tax (bpm) on new cars more expensive. This is offset by a subsidy on the purchase of second-hand electric cars.

“This is presented as a climate measure, but the sector fears that it will mainly lead to consumers buying a new car less quickly. With negative consequences for making the vehicle fleet more sustainable,” says industry organization Bovag.

“Moreover, it ensures that the government will become even more dependent in the future on a controversial tax that we can abolish right now. After all, the bpm is levied on the basis of CO2 emissions, which is zero for electric cars.”

The business community says that plans appear “balanced”, but there is some hesitation about the increase in the energy tax on gas. This is what business organizations VNO-NCW and MKB-Nederland say in a joint response.

“The cabinet thinks it will achieve additional climate gains with the proposed tax increase on gas. However, a price incentive such as this only works if entrepreneurs have an alternative, which many do not have. In that case, this is nothing more than an ordinary increase in the burden,” says MKB-Nederland- chairman Jacco Vonhof.

VNO-NCW boss Ingrid Thijssen says that it takes “many years” to get a permit or to be able to access the electricity grid.

“Higher costs through the energy tax on gas, while entrepreneurs cannot yet get rid of gas, only mean that they have to pass those costs on to the prices for consumers or their production and thus shift the CO2 emissions abroad.”

The organizations say they will study the plans further and discuss them with the supporters.