The court ruled today that the government does not have to set climate conditions for state aid for KLM. Greenpeace Netherlands demanded this in summary proceedings.
“We are disappointed with the verdict, because this is a loss to the climate. It is clear that the climate agreements for aviation fall short, the judge understands that we are critical about this. This statement motivates us to keep taking action twice as hard, ”says Dewi Zloch, Climate and Energy expert at Greenpeace.
“We respect the court's decision and are disappointed that the government can allow KLM to continue to pollute with state aid. If the government does not now take responsibility for dealing with both the corona and the climate crisis with the multi-billion dollar support, when will it? By setting climate conditions now, KLM's CO2 emissions can still be reduced step by step. There is broad support for green restoration. The cabinet can therefore simply get to work and respond to this call, ”says Zloch.
Pressure on the government continues
“This verdict does not take away the pressure on the government to tackle aviation pollution. It allows KLM as a major polluter to continue to emit emissions as usual. This means that KLM's exceptional position in climate policy remains intact, because the government obliges other companies to reduce CO2 emissions. Greenhouse gas emissions must decrease every year, in line with the Paris Climate Agreement, so that major polluters emit less each year. It is inevitable that the aviation industry will also have to become more sustainable, we will continue to take action for this, ”says Zloch. According to Greenpeace, the number of flights can be significantly reduced. Starting with the scrapping of short-haul flights below a thousand kilometers. Zloch: “Several planes leave for Brussels and Paris every day. That is unacceptable at a time when we are confronted with the consequences of climate change on a daily basis. ”
Experts also advocate green recovery
In addition to Greenpeace, authoritative bodies such as the Nederlandsche Bank, the SER, the Central Planning Bureau, the Social and Cultural Planning Bureau and the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency are asking for a future-proof publication of the corona billions and green restoration. Renowned scientists also spoke out for this. Recent research by ABN AMRO and Ipsos shows that more than 71 percent of the respondents want to maintain the positive effects on the climate that have arisen from the corona crisis. Almost half are even willing to adjust their own travel behavior accordingly. Fewer flights is therefore a logical choice. This reports Greenpeace on their website through this press release.
Photo above: Greenpeace image bank.
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