C 334/160
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
1.9.2022
simplified and streamlined.
New infrastructure and network investments related to gas are recommended to be future-proof where possible, in order to facilitate their long-term sustainability through future repurposing for sustainable fuels.
Moreover, increasing energy efficiency provides a cost-efficient opportunity to further reduce carbon emissions and dependence on fossil fuels, including on imports from Russia.
In particular, there is scope for improvements in relation to building renovations and the roll-out of heat pumps and district heating in the building sector, as well as through the electrification and provision of clean energy for energy intensive industries.
A further increase in ambition in respect of reducing greenhouse-gas emissions and increasing renewables and energy efficiency will be needed in order for the Netherlands to be in line with the ‘Fit for 55’ objectives.
(26)
Further investments in transport infrastructure could help remove bottlenecks and support sustainable mobility.
Rail and road infrastructure is congested.
The Dutch railway network is the most heavily used in Europe.
The Netherlands is deploying the European Rail Traffic Management System to support the increase in its railway network capacity.
In 2019, road congestion, albeit slightly below the Union average, was estimated to have cost 4 % of annual Dutch GDP.
Investments in sustainable mobility infrastructure can have positive spill over effects for the single market, given the importance of Dutch transport hubs (Port of Rotterdam, Schiphol airport) and reduce further the high dependency of the country towards oil (39 % of the energy mix in 2020).
(27)
Excessive nitrogen deposits are harming the environment and holding back construction and agricultural activities.
The nitrogen surplus is four times the Union average while ammonia emissions per hectare are the highest in Europe.
Nitrogen deposition is too high to achieve biodiversity objectives, it affects the quality of water and results in the Netherlands exceeding the thresholds of Council Directive 91/676/EEC (20) (‘Nitrates Directive’).
Further to a ruling of the Council of State in 2019, the Dutch government needs to take action to reduce nitrogen deposition in Natura 2000 areas.
To further reduce nitrogen deposits, a shift towards sustainable agriculture is needed, which requires significant investments.
Agriculture is responsible for 45 % of nitrogen deposits in particular because of intensive livestock farming.
This makes it the Member State with the highest livestock density in the Union.
(28)
While the acceleration of the transition towards climate neutrality and away from fossil fuels will create significant restructuring costs in several sectors, the Netherlands can make use of the Just Transition Mechanism in the context of cohesion policy to alleviate the socioeconomic impact of the transition in the most-affected regions.
In addition, the Netherlands can make use of the European Social Fund Plus, established by Regulation (EU) 2021/1057 of the European Parliament and of the Council (21), to improve employment opportunities and strengthen social cohesion.
(29)
In the light of the Commission’s assessment, the Council has examined the 2022 Stability Programme and its opinion (22) is reflected in recommendation (1).
(30)
In view of the close interlinkages between the economies of euro-area Member States and their collective contribution to the functioning of the economic and monetary union, the Council recommended that the euroarea Member States take action to implement the recommendations set out in the 2022 Recommendation on euro area.
For the Netherlands, this is reflected in particular in recommendations (1) and (3).
(31)
In the light of the Commission’s in-depth review and its assessment, the Council has examined the 2022 Stability Programme.
Its recommendations under Article 6 of Regulation (EU) No 1176/2011 are reflected in recommen­ dations (1) and (4).
Recommendation (1) also contributes to the implementation of the 2022 Recommendation on the euro area, in particular the first euro-area recommendation.
Fiscal policies and other policies referred to in recommendation (1) and (4) help address, inter alia, imbalances linked to the large current account surplus.
Policies referred to in recommendation (1) also help address imbalances related to high private debt,
(20) Council Directive 91/676/EEC of 12 December 1991 concerning the protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources (OJ L 375, 31.12.1991, p. 1).
(21) Regulation (EU) 2021/1057 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 June 2021 establishing the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) and repealing Regulation (EU) No 1296/2013 (OJ L 231, 30.6.2021, p. 21).
(22) Under Article 5(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1466/97.