Climate change and its effects

Greenhouse gas emissions cause warming

Since the Industrial Revolution, the impact that people have on the climate has increased steadily. This is particularly due to emissions of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide (CO₂) and methane. These gases act as a blanket in the atmosphere, trapping heat and causing temperatures on Earth to rise.

The increase in CO₂ emissions mainly comes from burning fossil fuels like oil, gas and coal. The increase in methane emissions is mainly due to:

• agricultural production, notably rice paddies and cows;
• marsh gas produced by marshes, swamps and bogs;
• gas venting at oil production sites.

Effects of climate change

More greenhouse gases in the atmosphere cause higher temperatures on Earth, with major consequences for people and the natural environment. Since the end of the 19th century, the average temperature on Earth has increased by 1.1 degrees Celsius. And by as much as 2.3 degrees in the Netherlands.

Global warming affects the Netherlands in a number of ways:

• Rising sea levels
  The oceans are getting warmer and the Antarctic ice sheet is melting. This is causing sea levels to rise. If greenhouse gas emissions are not reduced, the sea level along the Dutch coast will be 1.2 metres higher by around the year 2100. It could even be closer to 2 metres if the ice melts faster than scientists have forecast. By the year 2300, the difference in sea levels between the scenarios ‘no climate action’ and ‘action to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees’ could be many metres. Sea level rise is a particular risk for the Netherlands because much of our country lies below sea level.
• Plant and animal species dying out
  The growing season is starting earlier and the habitats of animals and plants are changing. This is causing the extinction of more and more plant and animal species. 
• Extreme weather events more likely
  Extreme weather is also becoming more common, such as severe heatwaves, prolonged droughts and extreme rainfall. The more the Earth warms up, the more often such events will occur. Extreme weather also increases the risk of flood and wildfire damage. The Netherlands is particularly vulnerable to flooding because our country is situated in a river delta and parts of it lie below sea level. This means that rivers cannot drain as quickly into the sea.
• Health problems and more infectious diseases
  The changing climate can also harm people’s health. Air pollution or allergens can cause more respiratory problems, for instance. Higher temperatures, higher humidity, and more rainfall also create ideal conditions for infectious diseases. 

For more information (in Dutch) about the risks of climate change, go to the website of the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI) (in Dutch).

Climate research

The government’s climate policy is based on the latest scientific insights. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) assesses research and publishes regular reports about the current knowledge on climate change. The IPCC is a United Nations body. 

The Netherlands and 194 other countries are members of the IPCC. According to the IPCC, global warming has already led to some irreversible changes, particularly the more frequent weather and climate extremes. 

As a result, millions of people around the world do not have enough to eat or live in areas at risk of flooding. There is also an alarming decline in biodiversity in parts of the world. Hundreds of species have already died out. The most vulnerable people and ecosystems are worst affected.