It was truly a significant event in 2015: the UN climate change summit for world leaders, which was held in Paris. At the end of the summit, 195 countries committed themselves to this historic agreement and pledged to get to work. There were big cheers all round. But what are the consequences for the 195 countries – including the Netherlands – that signed the agreement?

The Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (PBL) listed them all. The conclusion reached by the PBL is clear: the Paris climate change agreement demands a far-reaching reduction in emissions from greenhouse gasses, also in the Netherlands. Without a strong policy, this will not succeed. For the Netherlands, the Paris agreement means limiting the emissions of greenhouse gases by 80 percent or more by 2050. Numerous measures are required to achieve this goal. The country will have to continue improving the sustainability of the electricity supply.