In the Netherlands there is a lot of discussion about the future of heavy industry. Discussion is good, but polarization as we often see now does not help us move forward. A convincing plan for a sustainable industry. Let's ensure that the Netherlands eliminates emissions - and not the entire industry - argue Olof van der Gaag and Florian van Keulen.
Dutch industry is often portrayed as a major polluter. This can be explained: industry uses a lot of energy and emits more greenhouse gases than any other sector. At the same time, industry emissions have fallen by 1990% since 42,8, according to the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency. That is the largest reduction of all sectors.
Moreover, there is a clear phase-out path. Industry and the electricity sector must no longer emit greenhouse gases at all by 2040. The last CO₂ allowances will be sold in the European Emissions Trading System (ETS) in 2039. This trading system is often overlooked when the industry is portrayed as a polluter or profiteer of fossil subsidies. Wrongly, argued a group of energy experts earlier this week in economists' magazine ESB, an argument that we wholeheartedly endorse.
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Source: NVDE / Photo: Adobe Stock, Nataraj
