Dutch Industry's greenhouse gas emissions only down 4 pct in 12 years

The new greenhouse gas policy implemented in 2005 to stimulate the Netherlands industry to reduce their emissions, had hardly any effect. Over the past 12 years, greenhouse gas emissions by Dutch manufacturers only decreased by 4 percent, the Volkskrant reports based on figures from the Dutch emissions authority NEa.

In 2005 policy changed so that manufacturers had to pay for CO2 emissions through emission allowances. The intention was that manufacturers would reduce their emissions themselves. This system involves hundreds of companies that use the most energy, like refineries, steelworks and power plants. Their emissions currently stand at 94 megaton, 4 percent below the level of 2005 and even higher than in 2012, according to the newspaper. 

According to Kornelis Blok, professor of energy systems at TU Delft, the problem is that the Dutch companies' emissions were already in order in 2005. "That which is already good, is hard to improve. In other countries, it was easier to book progress", he said to the Volkskrant. He adds that companies are also reluctant to invest in environmentally friendly measures if that money can not be made back quickly.