Publications
English publications by the Energy Council.
January 2008
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Summary of the advice and recommendations (pdf, 40 pages)
Press release (pdf, 3 pages)
Every journey has its price
Joint advice of the Council for Transport, Public Works and Watrer Management (raad voor Verkeer en Waterstaat), Council for Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment (VROM-Raad) and Energy Council (Algemene Energieraad) to the Netherlands Government
ABRIDGED VERSION
Current policies for the transport sector are utterly inadequate for securing long-term European climate objectives. To achieve these targets the ever-upward trend in the CO2 emissions of both passenger and freight transport must be breached. Without appropriate action the transport sector will take up the entire European CO2 emissions ‘space’ by the year 2050. Robust measures in this fast-growing sector are thus urgently required. The government consequently needs to take vigorous initiatives on pricing policy, dedicated CO2 reduction policy and flanking policy. This is the conclusion of the Council for Transport, Public Works and Water Management, the Council for Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment and the Energy Council in the joint advice set out in the report ‘Een prijs voor elke reis’. An abridged version is available in an English translation entitled ‘Every journey has its price’. The advice was presented to Ministers Eurlings, Cramer and Van der Hoeven of the three relevant departments on Monday, 28th January.
Smarter by degrees
Towards new instruments for energy conservation policy
The Netherlands can and must still save much more energy in both homes and trade and industry in order to achieve the intended energy reduction of 1.5% to 2% per annum. The Dutch Energy Council advocates a combination of soft and hard measures to stimulate this reduction.
Energised Foreign Policy
Joint recommendation with the Advisory Council on International Affairs
Demand for energy is increasing around the world, while, due to political developments in areas where oil and gas are extracted, supply is becoming ever-more precarious. According to the two advisory bodies, promoting the security of supply must become one of the major objectives of Dutch foreign policy.
Gas for tomorrow
Recommendation by the Energy Council on Dutch policy options in a changing European and international gas market
Within the near future a handful of major gas-suppliers, namely Russia and the Middle East, will dominate the market. Economies that will import an increasing volume of gas, like the US, Europe and Asia, will have to compete with each other for the supply of this gas to their own respective markets. Given these market circumstances, the Netherlands can strategically utilise its strong purchasing power and large gas reserves. It is thereby important that the state, as administrator of the Dutch gas supply, maintains an interest in a Dutch gas purchasing company.
Energy Transtion: A Climate for New Opportunities
Joint recommendation by the Council of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment and the Energy Council
Climate change and security of supply demand an effective policy leading to sustainable energy administration. Two years ago the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs launched an 'energy transition policy'. While the Energy Council and the Council of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment applaud this initiative, both feel that further action is required. Sustainable energy administration and an effective conservation policy must still be placed on the political agenda.
Energy Transition: A Climate For New Opportunities
Abridged version