The Senate debated on February 11 with Minister Hermans about the expenditures and revenues for Climate and Green Growth and the Climate Fund for 2025. The Senate will vote next week, Tuesday, February 18, on the budgets, motions submitted during the debate, and the budgets for 2025 of Economic Affairs and the National Growth Fund.
The debate revealed that the Senate was divided on the governments commitment to climate and green growth. Some factions disagreed with the proposed cuts, while others thought different choices should be made. The debate covered investment in green hydrogen, green gas, nuclear and wind energy, and the achievement of climate goals using resources from the Climate Fund for agricultural sustainability.
Seven motions were submitted, including measures in agriculture to contribute to the Climate Funds goals, research on the effectiveness of investments in nuclear energy, and the efficiency of subsidies for types of green gas. The government discouraged some motions, while others received the ministers advice Judgment of the House.
Senator Crone (GroenLinks-PvdA) discussed government cuts on agricultural sector measures and suggested reallocating €5 billion for nuclear energy. JA21-senator Baumgarten advocated investing in stable energy forms like nuclear energy. Other senators raised issues about greenwashing, the impact of energy costs, and the sustainability of agriculture.
Minister Hermans aims to continue with climate policy, emphasizing energy conservation and maintaining international climate commitments. New regulations are proposed for addressing mining damage in Limburg.