The Netherlands is on the eve of an unprecedented transition. In response to the Letter to Parliament from Minister Jetten for Climate and Energy calls on parties at the Agriculture and Land Use climate table to capitalize on their unique solutions for the climate transition. Realizing the transition not only requires appropriate tools, but also fair recognition of CO2-profits and a realistic timeframe.
The sector is hit hard by climate change. That is why the agricultural sector has shown extra ambition in the Climate Agreement. Provided that appropriate regulations, sufficient budget and accelerated procedures are provided. However, to date there is no concrete instrument to stimulate this.
A sector with ambition, but without tools
The Transition and Climate Funds offer unique opportunities to invest in sustainability. Now the focus in these funds is mainly on purchasing and restructuring. However, innovation produces much more CO in the long term2-emission reduction. Greening also requires a review of stalling subsidies such as SDE++. If the link with gas prices is maintained, sustainable projects will cease and companies will switch back to gas. Accelerated access to funds or other financial resources can counter this and accelerate the transition. Especially now because there are already major sustainability projects in the pipeline.
To accelerate the sector's transition from gas, infrastructure expansion of heat, hydrogen and electricity is a priority. Especially around agricultural and horticultural companies. On the one hand, considerable solar and wind energy, geothermal energy or hydrogen can be generated on farms. On the other hand, our companies have the capacity to serve as a hydrogen, heat and electricity buffer. In this way we relieve the grid and make optimal use of available sustainable energy in the Netherlands.
Fair recognition of CO2-profits
Agricultural sectors contribute to emission reductions in various areas, but these are not always attributed to the sector. For example, raw materials for bio-based building materials can be produced in fields. If these materials are used on a large scale, several megatons of CO can be released2 are recorded. The value of bio-raw materials lies not only in the creation of high-quality (wood) products, but also in the resulting waste as a green transition fuel. Production of bio raw materials by the agricultural sector therefore delivers significant climate benefits.
On to a realistic timeline
Agriculture and horticulture want and can give a boost to the national energy transition. The climate ambitions have been adjusted upwards by the cabinet. A greenhouse or stable can easily last for decades and with the small margins the sector has long payback periods. Exchange rate changes on an agricultural company therefore take a lot of time. Farmers and gardeners have solutions. The sector is ready, but needs the government to formulate workable and appropriate climate policy more quickly.
Source: LTO.nl
