Climate change in the Netherlands

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

CO2 emissions per capita in the European Union. (Our World in Data)

Climate change in the Netherlands is already affecting the country. The average temperature in the Netherlands rose by almost 2 degrees Celsius from 1906 to 2017.[1]

The Netherlands has the fourth largest CO2 emissions per capita of the European Union.[2] These changes have resulted in increased frequency of droughts and heatwaves. Because significant portions of the Netherlands have been reclaimed from the sea or otherwise are very near sea level, the Netherlands is very vulnerable to sea level rise. The Dutch government has set goals to lower emissions in the next few decades. The Dutch response to climate change is driven by a number of unique factors, including larger green recovery plans by the European Union in the face of the COVID-19 and a climate change litigation case, State of the Netherlands v. Urgenda Foundation, which created mandatory climate change mitigation through emissions reductions 25% below 1990 levels.[3][4] At the end of 2018 CO2 emissions were down 15% compared to 1990 levels.[5] The goal of the Dutch government is to reduce emissions in 2030 by 49%.

Greenhouse gas emissions[]

The Netherlands has the fourth largest CO2 per capita emissions of the European Union.[2] The Netherlands is responsible for 0.46% of the worlds CO2 emissions.[6] CO2 emissions went down 15% in 2018 comparing to 1990.[5]

percentage that each sector in the Netherlands emits[7]
sector emissions
industry 31%
electricity 23%
mobility 19%
agriculture 14%
built environment 13%

Impacts on the natural environment[]

The July 2019 European heat wave affected the Netherlands heavily, with temperatures over 40°C

The temperature has risen by an average of 1 degrees Celsius globally in the last 130 years, while in The Netherlands the average temperature has risen by 1.7 degrees Celsius in that time.[8] The sea level has risen 20 centimetres.[8]

Temperature and weather changes[]

Barcode temperature deviation yearly compared to pre industrial average

The top 5 of the highest average temperature in a year were all in the last two decades with 2014 having the highest average temperature of 11.7 degrees Celsius.[9] The last 121 years the KNMI has kept record of the heatwaves in The Netherlands, 29 heatwaves have occurred since then, 14 heatwaves have occurred in the last 21 years. 5 heatwaves have occurred during the last 3 years with 2018 and 2019 having two heatwaves a year. In the first heatwave of 2019 there was a record temperature of 40.7 degrees Celsius in Gilze en Rijen. The last few years heatwaves have been stronger than expected. Scientists expected that temperatures would increase 1.5 degrees Celsius during a heatwave but when measured it points out that it is actually 3 degrees Celsius.[10][11][12]

In the summer of 2018, there was a big drought. 2018 is one of the top 5 years with the lowest rainfall in The Netherlands, with it having a shortage of 309 millimetres of rain. The drought had the biggest impact inland and less of an impact in the coastal areas. 2019 was also drier than it would be normally.[13]

The annual precipitation has increased by 8% between 1961-2020 mostly during the winter and summer precipitation has increased, only during the spring a decrease was found, the increase in precipitation has mostly stopped since 2000. Days that recorded a minimum temperature of below 0ºC has decreased by two weeks annually in the same period, the number of days that recorded a maximum temperature below 0ºC has decreased by 5 days annually.[14]

Current/past Köppen climate classification map for the Netherlands for 1980–2016
Predicted Köppen climate classification map for the Netherlands for 2071–2100

Sea level rise[]

North Sea: sea level risks

The sea level has risen about 12 to 20 centimeters from 1902 to 2010. The rate at which the sea level is rising has increased. In the last few years, it has risen twice as fast compared to the 20th century, with a rise of 4 to 5 millimeters every year. The rate at which the sea level is rising is still increasing.[15] The KNMI researched that in the worst case scenario sea levels would increase 54-121 cm in 2100 that would happen if the CO2 emissions would double by 2050 and at the end of the century temperature would have risen to 4.4ºC. In the second best scenario sea levels would rise to 30-81 cm by the end of the century if net zero would be reached after 2050 and a stabilisation of 1.8ºC at the end of the century.[14] sea level rise The Dutch government says that the current protection is adequate until 2050.[16]

Sea level rise in different SSPs in comparison with 1995-2014[14][17]
Temperature increase 2100 2050 2100
Stabilisation of 1.8ºC (SSP1-2.6) 14-38 cm 30-81 cm
Net zero by end of the century, 2.7ºC (SSP2-4.5) 15-41 cm 39-94 cm
Worst case scenario 4.4ºC (SSP5-8.5) 16-47 cm 54-121 cm

Mitigation and adaptation[]

Adaptation approaches[]

Numerous countries have planned or started adaptation measures. The Netherlands, along with the Philippines and Japan and United Nations Environment, launched the Global Centre of Excellence on Climate Adaptation in 2017.[18][19]

As part of its commitment to environmental sustainability, the Government of the Netherlands initiated a plan to establish over 200 recharging stations for electric vehicles across the country. The rollout will be undertaken by Switzerland-based power and automation company ABB and Dutch startup Fastned, and will aim to provide at least one station within a 50-kilometre radius (30 miles) from every home in the Netherlands.[20]

Policies and legislation[]

The Dutch government has signed numerous climate agreements, such as:

Paris agreement[]

See also: Climate change in Europe § Paris Agreement

The Paris agreement is a legally binding international agreement. Its main goal is to limit global warming to below 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels.[21] The Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC's) are the plans to fight climate change adapted for each country.[22] Every party in the agreement has different targets based on its own historical climate records and country's circumstances and all the targets for each country are stated in their NDC.[23][24]

In the long-term low GHG emission development strategies (LT-LEDS) the Netherlands have chosen to focus on one main target, cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 49% by 2030. As an interim target to the climate act the Netherlands must reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 95% by 2050 compared to 1990.[25]

International cooperation[]

The Dutch government needs to reduce emission by 25% in 2020 after a lawsuit was filled against the Dutch government called the Urgenda case. The Dutch government has pledged to reduce emissions in 2030 by 49% compared to 1990 levels and reduce 95% of emissions by 2050 compared to 1990 levels.[26]

Society and culture[]

Public opinion[]

The European Commission released a report in 2019 which found that 74% of Dutch people see climate change as a severe problem.

The Social Cultural Planning Bureau (SCP) found that Climate Change was the second biggest concern from the Dutch public.

Ipsos polled Dutch people in late 2020 about climate change, commissioned by the Dutch bank ABN AMRO. Two in five Dutch people see the COVID-19 pandemic as an wake-up call for the climate. 75% of respondents want that the 'positive changes' from the COVID-19 pandemic like the reduction of CO2 emissions caused by a reduction of traffic and flights should stay. 50% would permanently change their travel habits for that goal. A majority of the respondents wants that COVID-19 financial relief packages should also have the goal to make the Netherlands sustainable in a faster pace.[27]

The European Investment Bank conducted polls across the European Union in 2020–2021. The poll showed that Dutch people find it easiest to give up flying with 40% of respondents giving that answer. After flying there is meat (19%), video streaming (17%), new clothes (12%) and their car (10%). Giving up their car was the most difficult option at 40%. 9% of respondents said that are making radical lifestyle changes to combat climate change which is lower than the EU average which is 19%. 77% of people aged 15–29 years old in the EU believe their behaviors can combat climate change. 22% of respondents said that they will avoid to fly after the pandemic has ended, 30% said that they would go on vacation in the Netherlands or in nearby countries and 36% said that they would continue their previous flying habits, which is higher than the EU average (31%).[28]

Protests[]

Numerous protests have been held with the biggest protest drawing 40.000 people in Amsterdam on 10 March 2019.[29]

Extinction Rebellion has also demonstrated in the Netherlands with actions as blocking traffic on one of the busiest road in Amsterdam in front the Rijksmuseum[30] and blocking traffic in other parts of the country as well as other actions.[31][32][33][34] Extinction rebellion together with Greenpeace organized a demonstration in the airport Schiphol, 26 protesters were arrested.[35][36]

Youth for climate[]

The first big demonstration that was organized by Youth for Climate was on 7 February 2019 in The Hague. Youth for Climate estimated that 15.000 students protested.[37] A second strike took place on 14 March 2019 in Amsterdam. With 5.000 to 6.000 students striking.[38] A third climate strike took place on 24 May 2019 with 1.500 students striking in Utrecht.[39] On 20 September 2019 2.500 students protested in Maastricht.[40] On 27 September 2019 the biggest protest took place with 35.000 people attending in The Hague.[41]

Court cases[]

State of the Netherlands versus Urgenda Foundation[]

This section is an excerpt from State of the Netherlands v. Urgenda Foundation.[]
State coat of arms of the Netherlands.svg
State of the Netherlands v. Urgenda Foundation (Dutch: De Staat Der Nederlanden v. Stichting Urgenda) was a court case heard by the Supreme Court of the Netherlands in 2019 related to government efforts to curtail carbon dioxide emissions. The case was brought against the Dutch government in 2013, arguing the government, by not meeting a minimum carbon dioxide emission-reduction goal established by scientists to avert harmful climate change, was endangering the human rights of Dutch citizens as set by national and European Union laws.

References[]

  1. ^ "klimaatverandering". Milieu centraal (in Dutch).
  2. ^ a b "Per capita CO₂ emissions". Our World in Data. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  3. ^ "Netherlands climate change: Court orders bigger cuts in emissions". BBC. 20 December 2019.
  4. ^ "Activists cheer victory in landmark Dutch climate case". Associated Press. 20 December 2019.
  5. ^ a b Statistiek, Centraal Bureau voor de. "Lagere broeikasgasuitstoot". Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek (in Dutch). Retrieved 23 February 2021.
  6. ^ "Netherlands CO2 Emissions - Worldometer". www.worldometers.info. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
  7. ^ Statistiek, Centraal Bureau voor de. "Welke sectoren stoten broeikasgassen uit?". Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek (in Dutch). Retrieved 23 February 2021.
  8. ^ a b "Klimaatverandering feiten | WWF | Wat kunnen we doen". WWF.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 7 October 2020.
  9. ^ "Warmste jaren". KNMI.
  10. ^ "Landelijke hittegolf na 13 dagen voorbij; warm weer blijft". origin.nos.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 7 October 2020.
  11. ^ "Hittegolven". KNMI.
  12. ^ "Hitterecord in Gilze-Rijen, in vijf provincies meer dan 40 graden gemeten". origin.nos.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 7 October 2020.
  13. ^ "Uitleg droogte". KNMI.
  14. ^ a b c "KNMI klimaatsignaal'21" (PDF). KNMI. 2021.
  15. ^ KNMI. "Zeespiegelstijging nu en in de toekomst - KNMI specials". magazines.rijksoverheid.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 2 November 2020.
  16. ^ "When will the Netherlands disappear?". POLITICO. 16 December 2019. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
  17. ^ Januta, Andrea (9 August 2021). "Explainer: The U.N. climate report's five futures - decoded". Reuters. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  18. ^ Hub, IISD's SDG Knowledge. "COP 23 Side Events Spotlight Climate Action Champions, Link NDCs and SDGs: 14 November Highlights | News | SDG Knowledge Hub | IISD". Retrieved 2 February 2018.
  19. ^ "Launch Global Centre of Excellence on Climate Adaptation on COP23 - PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency". www.pbl.nl. 14 November 2017. Retrieved 2 February 2018.
  20. ^ Toor, Amar (10 July 2013). "Every Dutch citizen will live within 31 miles of an electric vehicle charging station by 2015". The Verge. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  21. ^ United Nations, United Nations Climate Change. "The Paris Agreement". unfccc.int. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  22. ^ "NDC spotlight". UNFCCC. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
  23. ^ "Nationally Determined Contributions". unfccc. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
  24. ^ "The update of the nationally determined contribution of the Netherlands" (PDF). UNFCCC. 17 December 2020. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
  25. ^ "Long-term strategy on climate mitigation - The Netherlands" (PDF). unfccc. 2019. Retrieved 16 May 2021.
  26. ^ Waterstaat, Ministerie van Infrastructuur en (3 October 2013). "Klimaatbeleid - Klimaatverandering - Rijksoverheid.nl". www.rijksoverheid.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 7 October 2020.
  27. ^ "ABN AMRO: 82 procent Nederlanders bezorgd over opwarming aarde". NU (in Dutch). 17 November 2020. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  28. ^ "2020-2021 EIB Climate Survey, part 2 of 3". EIB.org. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
  29. ^ "Amsterdam's First National Climate Change March Draws 40,000". Time. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  30. ^ "Zeker 80 aanhoudingen bij klimaatblokkade in Amsterdam". nos.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  31. ^ "Politie beëindigt blokkade Extinction Rebellion in Amsterdam". nos.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  32. ^ "Politie maakt einde aan actie klimaatactivisten, één demonstrant opgepakt". nos.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  33. ^ "Extinction Rebellion blokkeerde Amsterdams verkeer op meerdere plekken". nos.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  34. ^ "Demonstranten opgepakt op Blauwbrug in Amsterdam". nos.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  35. ^ "Military police remove climate protesters from Schiphol airport". the Guardian. 14 December 2019. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  36. ^ "Klimaatprotest Schiphol Plaza voorbij, 26 arrestaties". nos.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  37. ^ "DPG Media Privacy Gate". myprivacy.dpgmedia.nl. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  38. ^ "Scholieren lopen tweede mars voor het klimaat in Amsterdam". nos.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  39. ^ "Jongeren wereldwijd de straat op voor het klimaat, ook in Utrecht". nos.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  40. ^ AP, Foto's; AFP; EPA; september 2019, Getty Images en Reuters 20; 20:38. "Van Bangkok tot Maastricht: mensen gaan de straat op tijdens de eerste wereldwijde 'klimaatstaking'". Volkskrant Kijk Verder (in Dutch). Retrieved 3 January 2021.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  41. ^ Dongen, Annemieke van (27 September 2019). "Meer dan 35.000 mensen bij klimaatmars Den Haag". Het Parool (in Dutch). Retrieved 3 January 2021.
Retrieved from ""