Dutch parliament votes for 55 per cent cut in CO2 emissions by 2030, which would mean closing all of country’s coal plants
Dutch MPs have voted in favour of cutting emissions by 55 per cent by 2030 compared to 1990, a target which would require the wholesale closure of all of the country's coal-fired power plants.
A motion presented to the Dutch parliament yesterday calling for a more ambitious CO2 targets for 2025 and 2030 was favoured by 77 MPs to 72 against, the Guardian reports.
Related articles
According to the UK newspaper, the approved motion is not binding on the Dutch government, but the country's Liberal and Labour parties are likely to push for its swift implementation.
The motion is aimed at ensuring the timetable for the closure of the Netherland's coal plants is in line with the ambitions of the Paris climate deal, which looks likely to come into force imminently after a flurry of national ratifications this week.
According to motion text, several reports have shown that closing all of Netherland's coal plants is the cheapest option for the country towards meeting its Paris Agreement goals.
It "calls on the government to ensure that the timetable for closure of the coal-fired plants is in line with the ambitions of the Paris Agreement, and a reduction in CO2 emissions by 25 per cent by 2020 and 55 per cent in 2030" compared to 1990 levels.
It follows a previous motion approved by the Dutch Parliament in November 2015, which called for the government to work with the country's energy sector to close the country's remaining coal-fired power stations.
Five of the country's coal plants were reportedly closed last year but there are still another five in operation.
If the yesterday's motion is taken on by the Dutch government, it would make the Netherlands' climate policy among the most ambitious in Europe. Elsewhere in the EU, the UK plans to phase out domestic ‘unabated' coal power by 2025, although Germany recently backed away from setting a timetable for closing its coal-fired power plants.
Further reading
from Home - Business Green http://ift.tt/2dnbkT9
Advertisement
Sourced by "Home Hacks". Scouring and supporting the art of DIY home projects by sharing links and information provided by numerous active reputable DIY veterans and company's. Any projects you start please be of proper age, follow all required safety measures, and use the required protective equipment when handling any chemicals, power tools, or during any construction project. If you need advice regarding your next project we suggest visiting Contractor Talk.