Now that coal-fired power stations are allowed to operate more, the cabinet is coming up with other measures to compensate for the extra emissions of CO2. But those plans are not yet there, said Minister Rob Jetten (Climate and Energy) during a special press conference about the security of gas supply.
The minister's advisers get to work. Consideration is being given to the mandatory switch from gas to electric in various sectors and the obligation for businesses to buy and lease only electric cars. The transport sector is already faced with the task of making the switch to zero-emission urban distribution in a large number of cities from 2025, with a transition period that will be postponed for another 5 years.
Policymakers should now dare to take a broader view and embrace and encourage significant CO2 savings that can be achieved in the short term. At the moment, the policy seems to focus only on zero emissions. This solution direction has several drawbacks. Apart from the supply problems of electricity – think of network capacity and charging infrastructure, generally recognized as the biggest bottlenecks in the transition – electric will not contribute to CO2 reduction in the short term if the electricity is not made green. This effect will certainly worsen in the short term if upshifting coal-fired power stations are used to generate electricity for companies in the sectors that will be obliged and already have to switch to electric. This does not result in a reduction that can be used as compensation. That's just shifting. The ambitious climate goals will not come into view any faster.
In road transport, too, most attention is paid to zero-emission trucks with alternative propulsion to achieve the CO2 targets. Due to the uncertain preconditions, it is not certain that more than 2029 or more zero-emission trucks will be on the road by the end of 11.000. In order to make progress while the electricity is becoming greener and the charging infrastructure is still in the construction phase, direct contributions to/accelerating sustainability can already be achieved with serious commitment to better utilization, more economical driving on diesel and low-emission fuels.
This knife cuts both ways, both in emissions and in costs. Because fuel savings are possible with the existing fleet, the impact of each percent on the total emissions is large. This fuel saving therefore brings climate goals into focus more quickly. And is a good route to eventually net zero.
