The Role of Natural Gas in the Dutch Energy Transition: Towards low-carbon electricity supply: OIES Paper: NG39

The issue of climate change and its consequences is increasingly acknowledged on a global level and the idea of moving towards a low-carbon economy is increasingly becoming conventional wisdom. However, the actual implementation of emission reduction measures is a complicated process that is subject to many uncertainties and conflicting political and economic interests. Meanwhile, global CO2 emissions further increased in 2008. According to the IPCC, without serious measures, CO2 emissions will increase by 60% in the coming 25 years, which could lead to a global temperature rise of 2-4°C.2 A significant and structural reduction of CO2 emissions will require a fundamental shift from the current fossil fuel-based energy supply towards a sustainable and efficient energy system. This shift is also referred to as “energy transition”