The agreement on the transition to the use of greenhouse gases in the energy sector for 2022-2030 was signed on Wednesday. This was done in conjunction with the greenhouse horticulture sector ministers Pete Adema (LNV) and Rob Jetten from climate and finance.
The parties will work on energy saving and sustainable development measures that are essential for healthy and profitable greenhouse horticulture. One of the most important goals is to significantly reduce CO2 emissions from greenhouse horticulture in the coming years, writes Glastuinbouw Nederland in a press release explaining the New Pact.
Greenhouse horticulture aims to become a climate neutral and economically profitable sector by 2040. To this end, steps have already been taken, such as the Greenhouse Gas Energy Program. The sector has also given an important boost to geothermal energy, which, in addition to the need for greenhouses for horticulture, is now used to heat many households.
More ambitious goals
The energy transition continues and intensifies, hence the New Testament. The impetus for this was given in the 2019 Climate Agreement, and the current Cabinet complements it. The agreement tentatively sets a residual emissions target for 2030 at 4.3-4.8 megatonnes of CO2 equivalent.
This reduction is 0.5 to 1 megaton larger and therefore larger than previous agreements. The final target for residual emissions will be set in the spring of 2023, when a number of missing measures will be developed. The pact contains measures and obligations of the parties to achieve the intended goal.
According to Glastuinbouw Nederland, incentives should come in the form of subsidies, infrastructure improvements, an area-based approach through Greenports, and research and knowledge sharing. Other stimulus measures include further pricing CO2 emissions by adjusting the energy tax, improving the CO2 sector system, and attracting investments in energy conservation that can pay off within five years.
Pride in this sector
This agreement is a continuation of the previous multi-year agreements, which were based on the program on greenhouse gases as a source of energy. Agriculture Minister Piet Adema says he is very proud of the Dutch greenhouse horticulture sector, which is a world leader in sustainable production.
“But I also know that entrepreneurs are very concerned about high gas prices. At the same time, we are facing a major climate challenge in greenhouse horticulture. That is why this covenant is so important. In the coming years, we will accelerate energy conservation and energy sustainability so that by 2040 year, this sector could become climate neutral and remain a world leader.”
Economy and Climate Minister Rob Jetten says major changes are needed across all sectors of the economy to make the Netherlands climate neutral. “With this agreement, we agree on what the horticulture sector will do to become climate neutral and make our energy mix more sustainable. The current energy crisis shows that we need to become even more resilient.”
Rely on a stable policy
Chairman Adri Bom-Lemstra from Glastuinbouw Nederland says the government and sector in the agreement indicate that cooperation is a necessary condition for the transition to energy. “The knowledge, commitment and innovation potential of the sector can be harnessed and supported to strike the right balance between incentivizing and incentivizing entrepreneurs. We rely on sound government policies.”
Minister Rob Jetten (left), Secretary of State Marnix van Rij (centre) and Minister Piet Adema (right) visited the Maasdijk geothermal project prior to the signing of the agreement.
The signing took place on Wednesday at one of the companies of the Beekenkamp crop group. Prior to the signing, the signatories visited a geothermal drilling site in South Holland Maasdijk. The company took the opportunity to highlight the importance of the transition to energy, as well as the need for quick concrete action for the current energy situation.
