An innovative platform to achieve the 2020 climate and energy targets

Our member Klimaatverbond recently informed us that the Dutch Agreement on Energy for Sustainable Growth concluded between 47 organisations in 2013 is finally available in English. Combining an innovative governance platform with a systemic approach to energy and climate policy, this type of agreement sets the example when it comes to achieving climate and energy targets.

Innovative and encompassing

The Dutch Agreement on Energy for Sustainable Growth gathers businesses, associations, local governments and unions. Negotiated by the representatives of the parties during eight months, this agreement sets up innovative governance and monitoring mechanisms. A main body called Standing Committee and composed of representatives of the signatories is in charge of monitoring the implementation of the agreement, amending it if needed and setting an agenda going beyond the agreement’s validity. Several tools (available in Dutch only) such as an online dashboard and annual reports and analyses have been created to allow the public to follow the agreement’s progresses.

The agreement is also innovative in its approach and scope. Constituted of 12 pillars, it encompasses the various sectors concerned by the energy transition (energy efficiency measures, the scaling up of (local) renewable energy production, the ETS, the transport sector, …).

A first step in the right direction 

• Signatories to the Agreement share responsibility and commitment to achieve three overarching objectives: 
   An average energy efficiency saving of 1.5% per year (adding up to a reduction of 100 PJ by 2020). 
• 14% share of renewable energy in the Netherlands’ total consumption of energy by 2020. And 16% by 2023 (4.5% in 2013). 
   Creating at least 15.000 additional jobs by 2020, of which a significant 
  number to be created in the next years.

• This agreement on energy provides a clear longterm framework for the signatories helping them achieve the country’s 2020 climate and energy targets. However it is only the first step of the country’s energy transition. Bolder targets could be adopted in the future as several Dutch cities such as Delft and Utrecht have already planned to become carbon neutral by 2050.