Dutch Government Scales Back Climate Policy Despite Public Support
In a surprising turn, the Dutch government has scaled back its climate policy in 2024, despite people ranking climate change as the world's most pressing issue. The move comes amidst growing public support worldwide for stronger climate action.
The government's decision, driven by economic and technological considerations, includes reducing subsidies and cutting fixed feed-in tariffs for new solar plants. Offshore wind expansion has also been throttled. Meanwhile, it supports costly and immature carbon capture and storage technology as a key climate protection tool.
Surveys reveal that top election-defining issues are economies, national security, and healthcare, which are closely connected to climate outcomes. The mainstream narrative of climate action, focusing on reducing emissions and avoiding economic losses, is not resonating with people. Examples from Africa, London, and Bangladesh show that climate projects and policies providing clear, immediate benefits to people can create political momentum for a prosperous economy that is good for people, nature, and climate.
Contrary to public opinion, people worldwide are not electing climate-forward governments. In 2024, barely anyone voted for a party running on an ambitious climate action platform, with the U.K. being the sole exception. However, four out of five people globally want their countries to take stronger climate action. Experts suggest focusing on maximizing benefits for people to orchestrate large-scale change.
The Dutch government's scaling back of climate policy in 2024 highlights the disconnect between public opinion and political action. Despite global support for stronger climate action, few people are voting for climate-focused parties. To bridge this gap, climate action must be framed to emphasize immediate benefits for people, such as new jobs, cleaner air, and saved livelihoods. With 91% of renewable energy now cheaper than fossil fuel alternatives, the economic case for climate action is stronger than ever.
