The percentage of renewable energy in the Netherlands increased from 9 in 2019 to 15 in 2022. The Netherlands' target is for 27 percent of energy consumption in 2030 to come from renewable sources, such as biomass, sun and wind. The objective is related to the European Green Deal, which was presented by the European Commission exactly four years ago. This is reported by CBS.
Different types of renewable energy are increasingly used. In 2022, energy from biomass made up 5,9 percent of the total energy consumption, wind energy 4,2 percent and solar energy 3,4 percent. The share of energy from heat pumps is much lower at 1,1 percent, but has increased in recent years.
The 27 percent target will probably be tightened due to new agreements within the European Union. How things are going in the Netherlands with these and other goals from the Green Deal can be seen from today on the website Green Deal dashboard.
Less greenhouse gas emissions
The growing consumption of renewable energy helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Since 2019, emissions have fallen by 15 percent. Emissions fell most in the Electricity climate sector (26 percent). Greenhouse gas emissions from electricity production also fell sharply before the European Green Deal. This is mainly due to the closure of coal-fired power stations. In 2022, high energy prices and declining natural gas use also played a role in the decline in greenhouse gas emissions. The effect of this can be seen in the climate sectors Industry, Agriculture and the Built Environment.
Greenhouse gas emissions in 2022 will be almost 31 percent lower than in 1990
By 2030, greenhouse gas emissions must be at least 55 percent lower than in 1990. This goal is laid down in the Climate Act. This means that the Netherlands may still emit 2030 billion kg of CO103 equivalent in 2. Between 2019 and 2022, emissions fell by 27 billion kg of CO2 equivalent. To achieve the target, emissions must be reduced by another 55 billion kg of CO2 equivalent.
More summer days and higher sea levels
One of the main goals of the Green Deal is to combat climate change. The Green Deal dashboard also contains figures from the KNMI about climate and weather. These figures show what we are noticing in the Netherlands from climate change. For example, the number of summer days in De Bilt is increasing. On average over the years 1961 to 1990, this was 18 per year. We can now count on an average of 28 days on which it is 25 degrees or warmer in De Bilt.
Climate change is causing sea levels to rise, including in the Netherlands. Since 1890, the sea level on the Dutch coast has risen by 25 cm compared to the Normal Amsterdam Level. The influence of land subsidence has been taken into account. Sea level rise is accelerating in many places around the world. Such an acceleration has also been observed in the Netherlands.
Source CBS.nl
