Netherlands PBL English

RDF feed: http://www.pbl.nl/rss/pbl-rss-en.xml

EU climate and energy policy should be aimed at innovation
[released on: 15/05/2013]

An 80% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, that is the EU ambition for 2050. Such a drastic reduction requires a much more vigorous renewal of our energy system. Setting a target for emission reduction alone is not sufficient. This will need to be complemented by policy and targets for low-carbon innovation and energy efficiency. Both are vital components of a low-carbon economy but both currently do not make enough progress.
Effects of climate change in Netherlands appear manageable
[released on: 07/05/2013]

In the Netherlands, at the current rate of climate change the adverse effects of climate change appear to be manageable. As a new PBL study shows, most changes occur gradually, enabling Dutch citizens, companies and the government to adapt to new circumstances. Furthermore, policy makers are also increasingly aware of the effects of climate change, such as the risks of flooding, drought and precipitation extremes.
Minimum price best option for reform of EU Emissions Trading System
[released on: 25/04/2013]

A minimum price for emission allowances offers the best opportunity for the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) to function as a key policy instrument in reducing CO₂ emissions. Such a price floor will create a steady and higher CO₂ price, which will stimulate corporations to reduce their CO₂ emission and invest in sustainable innovations. When the price of CO₂ is too low, it is often more efficient for companies to buy emission rights rather than to invest in low-carbon technologies.
Bridging the gap between stakeholders and climate modellers
[released on: 22/03/2013]

The first results have been published from a joint project by PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency, VU University Amsterdam and the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI) on the methodology for connecting climate science, policy and society. As part of a demand-driven adaptation assessment for uncertain changes in weather extremes, KNMI has studied the uncertainty range for climate projections of temperature extremes in the Netherlands, and concluded that these data from Regional Climate Models should be used with caution. And the VU-led team has articulated six stakeholder perspectives related to weather extremes and their impacts on the Netherlands.
Seeking PhD students to review a volume of the next IPCC report
[released on: 19/03/2013]

Note: The deadline for applications for the reviews has passed.

Are you an ambitous PhD student and would you like to be involved in an important, ambitious and unique project? If so, you are invited to read on for an opportunity to enhance your analytical and review skills. You will come into contact with leading scientistst in the Netherlands and learn about the ins and outs of IPCC procedures.
Pledges by developing countries lead to 9-12% emission reduction
[released on: 20/02/2013]

A new study shows that the proposals from developing countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 lead to a 9-12% reduction in their emissions. Assuming all countries take immediate action, this means that, to achieve the 2°C target cost-effectively, developed countries need to reduce their emissions by 50% below 1990 levels. Their current pledges, however, lead to a reduction of 13-18%.
Audit Committee report on quality of PBL work published
[released on: 14/02/2013]

An international scientific audit committee has evaluated the work of PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency, in the second half of 2012. This week, the audit committee published its report with overall a very positive assessment outcome. This relates to the quality of the research published, as well as to the way in which PBL connects science and policy.
Conditions for greening the Dutch economy
[released on: 04/03/2013]

Greening the economy is a major and necessary task for the world as a whole as well as for the Netherlands. Using energy, raw materials and natural resources more efficiently will strengthen the structure of the Dutch economy. This is necessary, given the expected quadrupling of the world economy over the next forty years, the associated environmental impacts and the increasing scarcity of raw materials and natural resources.It is important that the Dutch Government sketches a clear perspective on greening for citizens and businesses.
Methodology for Earth System Governance Research
[released on: 07/01/2013]

A global 'Task Force on Methodology for Earth System Governance Research' has been established, co-chaired by PBL’s Chief Scientist Arthur Petersen. This Task Force will address methodological challenges in earth system governance research by promoting new international research collaborations, fostering interaction and dialogue among existing research projects, and developing architectures to promote the building and sharing of datasets that can advance quantitative earth system governance research.
Christmas and New Year greetings
[released on: 19/12/2012]

Our goal is to contribute to decision making on different levels, all with the ultimate aim of making the Netherlands and the rest of the world a better place to live.
Climate goals for 2030 in relation to 2 °C target
[released on: 10/12/2012]

A greenhouse gas reduction target of 40% below 1990 levels for 2030 for the European Union, to be achieved within Europe, would not necessarily be sufficient for achieving the target of limiting global temperature increase to 2 °C, given a possible lack of comparable efforts by other countries. Based on equal costs as a share of Gross Domestic Product, the European Union should reduce emissions by 45% to 47%.
The Emissions Gap Report 2012
[released on: 20/11/2012]

Scaling up and accelerating action on climate change without delay will reduce the risk that keeping global average temperature rise below 2 °C becomes an unrealistic prospect, according to a comprehensive study by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) to which the PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency has also contributed.
Set-aside of European CO2 emission allowances considered as a signal for further ETS reform
[released on: 27/11/2012]

A set-aside of CO2 allowances would reduce the current oversupply in the European Emissions Trading System. This would result in temporary higher CO2 prices. However, a literature study has shown that the impact of the European Commission’s proposal on CO2 prices is likely to be limited.
International audit committee coming to PBL
[released on: 05/11/2012]

Between 12 and 16 November 2012, PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency will receive an international audit committee of scientists, led by Ms Lea Kauppi, Director General of SYKE, the Finnish Environment Institute. The committee is to judge the quality of PBL products and services, and to possibly make recommendations regarding the way PBL carries out its function of intermediary between policy and research. The audit is being held at the request of the PBL Advisory Committee, which oversees the quality of the work and working methods of PBL as well as the societal relevance of its publications.
PBL, KNMI and Crok launch Climate Discussion platform Climate Dialogue
[released on: 12/11/2012]

PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency together with the Dutch Royal Meteorological Institute (KNMI) and science journalist Marcel Crok launched their joint website ClimateDialogue.org - an international blog where invited scientists discuss controversial topics in climate science. There are several blogs that facilitate discussions between climate experts, but since the climate debate is highly polarised and politicised, blog discussions between experts with opposing views are rare.
Plans for low-carbon economy lack international orientation
[released on: 17/10/2012]

Although energy markets are interlinked and energy companies operate internationally, European countries have a strong national focus in their climate and energy policies. Countries have little regard for the impact of their national policy measures on neighbouring countries and vice versa. Better coordination between countries would support the desired energy transition and reduce costs.
Nature Outlook 2010-2040: Dutch nature policy in motion
[released on: 01/10/2012]

Every four years, PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (PBL) publishes a Nature Outlook under statutory obligation. This year, the Nature Outlook is published at a time of important amendments made to nature and landscape policies and in related policy fields. This includes efficiency increases, less government involvement, and further decentralisation of policies on nature, landscape and spatial planning.
Renewable energy: current Dutch policy is falling short of 2020 target despite strong growth
[released on: 22/08/2012]

Under the current policy the share of renewable energy in the Netherlands is set to rise from 4 percent in 2010 to 7-10 percent in 2020. Although this is a strong increase, it is not enough to achieve the European target of 14 percent by 2020. Even with the measures proposed by the Rutte government and the agreements arrived at in the spring (Lenteakkoord), this 14 procent target is not going to be achieved.
CPB and PBL present election manifestos analyses
[released on: 27/08/2012]

The Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis (CPB) and PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency are publishing the results of the analyses of the election manifestos of 10 political parties in the book Choices Outlined 2013-2017. The analyses reveal the main effects on (macro) economic and purchasing power, sustainability of government finance, employment, as well as the impact on healthcare, social security, energy and climate, education, innovation, housing market, transport and mobility, and nature.
PBL analyses human and economic consequences of disasters
[released on: 25/07/2012]

Disasters such as floods, storms, heatwaves and droughts may have serious implications for human health and the economic development of countries. PBL has analysed these types of severe disasters in a statistical context, as part the ‘OECD Environmental Outlook to 2050’. One of its main findings is that historical disaster burdens are dominated by economic and demographic developments, rather than climate change. Furthermore, disaster burden appears to be distributed unequally over rich and poor regions; economic losses are highest in the rich countries (OECD), the number of people affected is highest in upcoming economies (BRIICS) and the number of people killed is highest in the remaining, poor countries.
Per capita CO2 emissions in China reached European level
[released on: 18/07/2012]

Global emissions of carbon dioxide (CO₂) increased by 3% last year, reaching an all-time high of 34 billion tonnes in 2011. In China, average per capita CO₂ emissions increased by 9% to 7.2 tonnes CO₂. This is similar to per capita emissions in the European Union.
PBL launches web app on report Roads from Rio+20
[released on: 14/06/2012]

PBL is proud to announce the launch of its first ever web app http://roadsfromrio.pbl.nl. Designed for tablet, smartphone and desktop, it gives interactive access to the full results of our report 'Roads from Rio+20, Pathways to achieve global sustainability goals by 2050'. Visit the web app by clicking the link above, no need to visit the appstore.
Ambitious set of sustainability targets can be met
[released on: 06/06/2012]

'The world continues to speed down an unsustainable path despite over 500 internationally agreed goals and objectives to support the sustainable management of the environment and improve human wellbeing. However, meeting an ambitious set of sustainability targets by the middle of the century is possible if current policies and strategies are changed and strengthened and successful policies are rapidly scaled-up.' This conclusion is drawn in UNEP’s Fifth Global Environment Outlook (GEO-5), launched on the eve of the Rio+20 Summit.
'Rio as World Exhibition', spoken column at 'Rio aan de Maas' festival in Rotterdam
[released on: 30/05/2012]

Yes, I will be going to Rio. I am going to Rio to see the future. Because Rio+20 is more than a regular conference – it is a World Exhibition. Rio+20 is synonymous with the future, but the meeting of world leaders takes place within the structures of the past. This means that making powerful decisions is virtually impossible.
Benefits of nitrogen reductions in North Sea shipping exceed costs
[released on: 06/06/2012]

Two studies have analysed the costs and benefits of creating a nitrogen emission control area in the North Sea and the English Channel. Such a control area requires new ships to emit 75 per cent less in nitrogen oxide, from 2016 onwards. This is expected to lead to substantial benefits for health and nature.