Netherlands unveils detailed roadmap to phase out oil, gas and coal
The Dutch government released a detailed “route map” outlining how it will eliminate oil, gas and coal, becoming the second nation after France to publish such a plan.
The Dutch cabinet has published a detailed “route map” that charts the country’s exit from oil, gas and coal, making it the second state worldwide to issue such a plan after France. The document, presented before the UN Climate Change Conference in Turkey, confirms the 2030 shutdown of coal-fired power stations but pushes back or scales down several other renewable energy goals, including offshore wind capacity and a carbon-free electricity grid by 2035.
International climate analysts, such as Natalie Jones of the International Institute for Sustainable Development, welcomed the clarity, whereas Greenpeace Nederland’s Maarten de Zeeuw and University of Amsterdam professor Joyeeta Gupta argued the lack of a definitive end date weakens its ambition. The roadmap originated from an April summit co-hosted by the Netherlands and Colombia that attracted 50 nations. A spokesperson for the Dutch environment ministry said the plan bolsters the country’s credibility as a proactive climate actor.
Why it matters
It shows how a major EU country plans to cut fossil fuel use, affecting global climate targets.
How the sides frame it
MODERATE AGREEMENTLeft-leaning coverage frames the plan mainly as a short-coming, stressing the absence of binding deadlines and calling it a “footpath paved with good intentions,” while centrist coverage presents a more balanced view, highlighting the roadmap’s detail and pioneering status, noting both the confirmed coal phase-out and the criticism over weakened renewable targets.
LEFT
The plan is portrayed as insufficient and lacking enforceable targets.
CENTER
The roadmap is depicted as a detailed, pioneering effort that mixes clear progress with some softened renewable ambitions.
The left emphasises
- does not set binding deadlines for ending fossil-fuel use
- allows additional gas projects to continue until 2050
- described as “a footpath paved with good intentions” and falls short
In this story
