Report

Climate Change, Climate Policy
Background to parliamentary choices

The effects of climate change are now more apparent than they were several years ago and it is now deemed more likely that the warming of the earth’s atmosphere is indeed due to human activity. The temperature has already risen by 0.6ºC, leading to 10 to 20 cm higher sea levels; in the course of the 21st century it is predicted to rise by between 1.4 and 5.8°C relative to the pre-industrial era. Two basic kinds of policy measure are required: to address the consequences of climate change, and to prevent any temperature rise over 2°C, beyond which point grave environmental consequences are predicted. The report considers how climate policy can be designed for maximum cost-effectiveness, mainly through international diplomacy, an area in which the Netherlands can potentially make a major contribution. In the domestic arena, the report recommends policies to encourage innovation as well as specific measures for transport and housing.

Information on this study is also available at the KNMI website: www.knmi.nl.

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