Climate adaptation is nothing new in the Netherlands. And it is not at all surprising in a country that is largely below sea level. The coalition agreement contains a number of important main points that have to do with climate adaptation, plans on a very large and very small scale and it is also clear where the attention of the new cabinet will lie. What do you need to know and what can you do yourself if you want to contribute to climate adaptation that has now become even higher on the agenda?
Feasible, portable and implementable towards climate adaptation
The new government has clearly stated that it wants to have a feasible, executable and sustainable policy with regard to climate adaptation. The need is certainly there, because all EU member states have agreed that there must be 55% less emissions in 2030 and in 2050 the member states must be completely climate neutral.
The new coalition seems to be ignoring this a bit, partly by calling its own plans 'feasible and implementable'. In the coming years, attention will mainly be paid to the availability of fresh water in the Netherlands, combating drought, more attention to the dikes (and especially their future-proofing) and rivers will also be higher on the agenda. This does not only concern fresh water, but also transport, recreation and nature.
Other major items on the agenda include promoting green growth (perhaps green roofs could get a bit more attention in 2025), more attention to green hydrogen (and especially its storage) and building at least two (and almost four) nuclear power plants.
Balancing the wishes of different parties
There has been a lot of criticism on social media and from opposition parties (especially GroenLinks-PvdA) about the split decisions in the coalition agreement, in which certain objectives seem to contradict each other or are literally at odds with each other. What should not be forgotten is that the coalition agreement consists of the main lines of the cabinet policy for the coming four (or less) years, in which many adjustments can and must still be made. None of the objectives in the coalition agreement are fixed, which means that we will still see many changes. Certainly in the area of climate, adaptation and the plans regarding the major Climate Agreement.
What is especially important is that the coalition recognizes that work must be done towards sustainability, climate adaptation (certainly with regard to the dikes and freshwater) and that people with a middle or low income need help with the investments that contribute to this climate adaptation, CO2 reduction and a significant increase in the degree of energy independence.
What can you do yourself to contribute to climate adaptation?
We could place a complete manual here on how you can improve climate adaptation for yourself and your environment, but that has already been done. On the website of Klimaatadaptie Nederland (https://klimaatadaptatienederland.nl/) you can find many useful sources, tips and even ways in which you can contribute yourself. This is not only useful for nature, but also for your direct environment. There are also a number of tips with which you can even save money or improve the lifespan and quality of your garden and home. In addition, you can always inquire with your municipality, because there are many regions that have guidelines and even subsidies regarding sustainability.
In that context, it is also good to look at the larger solutions at your home or at work. Although the netting arrangement is being abolished (and even the tax on natural gas is being reduced, which is at odds with the policy of the previous coalition), solar panels are still a good investment. Certainly in combination with a home battery, because this addition ensures that you can actually use your own generated electricity and do not encounter unpleasant surprises.
Another option, which has been mentioned for several years in a row now, but is still relevant, is the electric car. The subsidies for the purchase of the EV will disappear in 2025, but the tax benefits will remain for the time being and that offers interesting advantages when you look at climate adaptation and sustainability. Certainly when you can drive to work and come back on one battery charge (or possibly charge at work).
Combining home battery, electric car and solar panels
The combination of solar panels, home battery and modern electric car offers numerous solutions, even with regard to grid congestion. It should be added that this system is also still a very suitable option without the solar panels themselves. With an EV and home battery you have all the possibilities to store electricity when the price is low.
What is important is that you make the right investments and look in advance at the possibilities to get help with this. After all, the coalition agreement states that most people must get help with sustainability and adjustments to their own situation in order to contribute to the energy transition.
At the same time, it is important that you choose the right products. For example, if you are looking for a charging station that you can connect to your solar panels, look for a system that can also charge at very low voltage. With this system, you can still charge your electric car on a clear summer evening, even if you cannot charge at 3.7 kW. If you opt for a home battery in combination with a charging station and electric car, be sure to look at the possibilities for bidirectional charging. This ensures that the battery of your car can not only be charged, but can also function as a power point itself.
Do you want to know what the best option is for your specific situation or do you just want to have a quiet chat with an expert in the field of home batteries, electric driving and charging your EV? Then contact us so that we can help you personally.
