Samenvatting

This study deals with the manner in which, Denmark and the Netherlands have implemented three European environmental objectives set out in the 2020 strategy. Additionally, it aims to provide an insight into the reasons for a successful achievement of the three objectives. These objectives concern emissions, energy efficiency and renewable energy. The first objective concerns the reduction of emissions by 20% in Denmark and 16% in the Netherlands, this objective is divided between national efforts, and a European Emission Trading System (ETS). Secondly, renewable energy should provide 30% of the energy in Denmark and 14.5% in the Netherlands. Finally, Energy efficiency must be increased by 1.5% every year until 2020.
A framework was created allowing the classification of the national policies used for the implementation of the climate change objectives. Furthermore, the national progresses will be reviewed in order to understand what affects the national implementation of these targets and the results of the implementation up to 2014. Denmark and the Netherlands have been chosen because they share many national similarities (economic, geographic, and political), and both rely on wind as a source of renewable energy.
The ETS is explored separately from national implementation as is it a carbon trading system at the European level using tradeable emission allowances. However, the allocation of allowances has been too lenient, and the carbon market prices collapsed. Accordingly, the system did not have the intended impact and has been reformed. However, the new reform is deemed too weak by some, and stricter measure should be used.
There are similarities in the way in which these three targets are implemented in Denmark and the Netherlands. The main one being the use of large cross-cutting agreement to reach energy targets. Furthermore, most of the requirements set by the EU framework for 2020 have been translated into the national frameworks. To continue, there are also some differences in the implementation of the 20/20/20 targets in the two countries, the Netherlands tends to rely on fiscal means, and the use of flexibility mechanisms. On the other hand, Denmark has a balanced mix of different policy types. When it comes to impact of implementation, the major difference come from the performances on the share of renewable energy, the Netherlands is not expected to meet its target in time. Otherwise, the two countries are expected to reach their emission and efficiency targets. The reason behind the inconsistent energy performance in the Netherlands does not come from a non-implementation of EU legislation. There seem to be two major factors impending Dutch renewable performances, first the high population density makes renewable energy project conflict with local interests. Secondly, the national political scene has been creating uncertainties in the measure put in place. Nonetheless, the Netherlands now has the required policies, and will deliver its renewable energy performances in the coming years, but will probably not meet the 2020 deadline. The climate change performances are also affected by the recent economic crisis and the warm weather of the past years, which have reduced consumption and economic activities. As such, emission reduction and energy efficiency performances are not only the results of national implementation but the context in which they are implemented.