Jetten sees opportunities for the Netherlands in tackling the climate crisis
The cabinet has major plans to tackle the climate and nitrogen crisis. a lot of money has been set aside. It’s easy we’re done then, because how do we revert all the damage already done? That is up to the Minister of Climate and Energy, Rob Jetten, to solve these problems. “If we want to pass on the earth in a liveable way, we have to get to work,” he says at Op1 on NPO 1.
One of the government’s plans to improve the climate is to reduce CO2 emissions. This must be reduced by at least 55 percent by 2030. Jetten feels called to take this problem seriously. “Maybe it has to do with my generation, but the climate challenge is the challenge of our time,” he says.
The politician refers to recent natural disasters, such as the floods in the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium. “You see there what an enormous effect it can have if you give your horses more of that extreme weather. So if we want to pass on the earth in a livable way, then we have to get to work.”
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The cabinet wants at least 55 percent less CO2 emissions by 2030, which is a tough job. Minister for Climate and Energy @RobJetten: “Maybe it has to do with my generation, but the climate mission feels like the ultimate goal. It is also a new business model.” #On 1 pic.twitter.com/gRqky3ew8U
— Op1 (@op1npo) February 11, 2022
Revenue model
The coalition agreement contains the future wish that the Netherlands should become a ‘leader’ in Europe in tackling the climate. According to Jetten, the fact that the Netherlands wants to lead the way has to do with the fact that “there are enormous opportunities for the Dutch economy”.
He explains: “We have a strong sector, strong industry and we are good at maritime trade. If we succeed in making this industry more sustainable with green hydrogen, it can also become an export product. So it is actually also a new revenue model for the Netherlands.” So it’s actually double the price. “Slowing down the application of the earth and an opportunity to pass on a strong Dutch economy.”
High energy bill
Reducing CO2 emissions to tackle the climate crisis sometimes involves making “painful choices”. Think, for example, of all the people who do want to become more sustainable – by insulating their house – but are unable to do so. “We want to make sure that everyone can come along”, Jetten. For example, by making home insulation more affordable.
Insulation also has a financial reason for many people. The energy bill is becoming more and more expensive, which also has to do with the gas that comes from Russia. Nobody wants to sit at home in the cold in the winter, so eventually the heating is on. And with that comes a high energy bill.
There are not many cheaper alternatives than gas. “It puts the magnifying glass on the fact that we must become more independent of energy supply,” says Jetten. “The most important thing is that men in the Netherlands become less dependent on gas”. Creating more heat networks in cities by insulating houses from the door. “We have robbed this earth, so it is up to us to restore it.”
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Door: Vick ten Wolde
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