For many Dutch parties, climate and energy is an important issue in the upcoming European elections on May 23. Public Affairs identifies a number of similarities and differences.
CO2 reduction
Almost all parties want to raise the European ambition for CO2 reduction. D66, PvdA, VVD, CU/SGP (who together have one list in Europe) and 50PLUS want to increase the European goal to 55% in 2030 (now 40%), in order to reach the 'Paris' goal - no more CO2 emissions in 2050. GroenLinks wants to go to 60% and the Party for the Animals even to 65% in 2030. Only the CDA does not comment on an intermediate goal, but wants Europe to comply with the Paris Climate Agreement. Forum for Democracy wants to cancel the Climate Accord.
Within the current European system of tradable emission rights (ETS), almost all parties agree that the price per ton of CO2 should go up, GreenLeft being the only one to mention an amount of €40. The Party for the Animals wants to abolish the ETS system.
Renewable energy
Except for FvD, all parties want to reduce the use of fossil fuels. Wind and sun are mentioned most often, only the VVD wants to keep nuclear energy as a possible source and FvD wants European research into the possibilities of a thorium power plant. Most parties are also willing to release subsidy funds for this, especially for innovation in this field, such as the development of "super batteries" (PvdA).
Circular economy
The VVD, PvdA, D66, GroenLinks and PvdD all want the use of plastic to be replaced as much as possible by more sustainable alternatives and more recycling. D66, GroenLinks and PvdD mention the introduction of deposits and GroenLinks mentions tariff differentiation as a possibility.
Mobility
It is striking that only GroenLinks and D66 have included in their program that fossil fuels for cars should be completely eliminated. The other parties stick to tightening emission standards for cars. According to GroenLinks, D66, PvdA, CDA and CU/SGP, electric driving should be stimulated, with D66 and PvdA also explicitly mentioning the rollout of charging station infrastructure and the CDA mentioning the development of battery technology as an important element.
An important common thread is that all parties, except Forum voor Democratie, believe that the level of ambition in the EU in the field of climate and energy should be raised. Since these parties are part of European groups with roughly the same ideas, this is an indicator of what plans the new European Commission, to be appointed sometime in the fall, will come up with.
All election programs can be found at My Publieke Zaken. For questions or further clarification, contact Julie@publiekezaken.eu.
