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Evaluations have found that the 1997 Horticulture and Environment Agreement GLAMI together with a variety of fiscal schemes has been
effective. Greenhouse growers agreed in the GLAMI to improve their energy efficiency per unit of production by 65 by 2010 relative to 1980.
This target had almost been reached by 2009. The GLAMI had a clear, quantified target and, moreover, a statutory basis in an Integrated
Environmental Target in the Greenhouse Horticulture Decree. Other important contributions to achieving the target include the priority
given to energy saving in the restructuring of greenhouse horticulture areas Netherlands Court of Audit, 2003 and schemes to retain small -
scale cogeneration plants when low electricity prices made them unprofitable EZ, 2008.
The Clean and Efficient Agriculture Agreement concluded with various agricultural and horticultural sectors in 2008 included targets for CO
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emissions, renewable energy and energy savings. Annual working programmes explain the progress made in each sector and set out the
plans – transition pathways – for the coming year. The programmes
provide an annual insight into whether implementation is on schedule to achieve the goals set for 2020.
3.5 Implementation of European policy
European policy influences the Netherlands achievement of its saving potential. The Netherlands relies on EU policy and has little freedom to
take measures that might affect competition or relations with the single market. We found that the Netherlands had not complied with a number
of EU obligations on time. Slow implementation of IPPC Directive
An important instrument for the manufacturing sector is the European framework for environmental permits: the Integrated Pollution Preventi on
and Control Directive Directive 9661EC, 1996; Directive 20081EC, 2008.
The IPPC Directive requires EU member states to control emissions of environmentally polluting substances from industrial plants and from
intensive livestock farming by means of environmental permits. It has been applicable to new plants since 1999 and to existing plants since
2007. At the heart of the IPPC Directive is the principle that companies subject to the Directive must use the best available technology provided
it does not entail excessively high costs. These measures take account of technological and economic circumstances to provide the best possible
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environmental protection. The IPPC Directive also lays down that the plants operation must be energy efficient.
The Netherlands has transposed the IPPC Directive into the Environmental Management Act. Environmental permits are awarded and assessed by
provinces and municipalities. The government issued the underlying Energy in Environmental Permits Guidelines 1999 and the Roads to
Prevention at Enterprises Manual 2005 in order to inform local authorities about how to regulate energy savings. Nevertheless, the
European Commission formally notified the Netherlands in 2007 that it had not implemented the IPPC Directive adequately.
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According to the European Commission, too many permits had not been checked against
the Directives requirements and revised where necessary. Energy Services Directive
The European Energy Services Directive Directive 200632EC, 2006 came into force in 2006. It requires member states to inform end users
about their energy consumption. It also requires the end users energy bills to include a comparison with their energy consumption in the
previous year. These requirements had to be satisfied by May 2008 at the latest.
The Dutch government included the requirements in a Bill obliging every household to fit a smart meter. The Bill was submitted in June 2008 and
passed by the House of Representatives in July 2008 but rejected by the Senate in April 2009. The Senate objected to the compulsory fitting of
smart meters and the penalties on refusal. The House debated an amended Bill in November 2010. The Bills to transpose the European
Directive into Dutch law were passed by the Senate as a formality in February 2011 Electricity Act 1998 and Gas Act 2011 Amending Act;
Amendment of the Electricity Act 1998 and Gas Act 2011 Amending Act. The European Commission had sent the Netherlands an official reminder
in July 2008 and in January 2009 it sent the Netherlands a reasoned opinion.
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As well as the Netherlands five other member states were summoned to appear before the European Court of Justice. Three others received a final warning.
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Another 19 countries also received such an opinion. The issuance of a reasoned opi nion is an introductory procedure with no binding legal effect. It can result in legal action at the European
Court of Justice.
