The Netherlands trails most EU nations in meeting green energy targets
The Netherlands is one of the slowest countries in Europe to make progress towards sustainable energy targets, according to a new European Commission report.
Green energy accounted for just 4.5% of Dutch energy usage in 2012 and only Britain, France and Malta have a worse record, the report shows. The Dutch target of 14% is also one of the least ambitious in Europe.
Three countries have already reached their 2020 targets: Estonia (25%), Sweden (49%) and Bulgaria (16%).
Last July, Dutch ministers, unions, employers and environmental groups reached a long-awaited agreement on a package of measures to save energy and cut C02 emissions.
The deal involves closing down old coal-fired power stations earlier than scheduled, the setting up of a special fund to pay for energy efficiency measures – with cash from pension funds – and a major focus on offshore wind energy generation.
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