Climate change: the causes, effects, and solutions

Although the Earth's temperature has changed over millions of years, these changes usually happened very slowly. However, since the industrial revolution, the climate has started changing rapidly. Temperatures and sea levels are rising alarmingly fast.

According to Wageningen University & Research (WUR), natural influences were more important than human influences on the climate until 1950. Since then, however, the global temperature rise can only be explained by human activity.

Scientists agree that the emission of greenhouse gases is the main cause of the current climate change³. The consequences of climate change are visible worldwide and affect both people and nature.
According to the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change), the main causes of climate change are:

1. Burning of fossil fuels:
   This is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, responsible for more than 70% of global emissions. The use of coal, oil, and gas in various sectors of the economy contributes significantly to global warming.


2. Agriculture and livestock farming:
   About 23% of total greenhouse gas emissions come from the agriculture and forestry sector, of which approximately 40% derive from manure from cows, sheep, and goats.


3. Deforestation and changes in land use:
   Cutting down forests, degrading forest areas, and converting forests into grasslands for livestock or crops such as soy and palm oil releases more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
   The IPCC has mapped the human influence on observed temperature increases. The rise in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere since the pre-industrial era (1850–1900) has already caused a warming of between 1°C and 2°C. This effect is partly masked (by 0°C to 0.8°C) due to the cooling effect of aerosols (small airborne particles). The observed temperature increase can thus be entirely attributed to human influence.

If we do not stop climate change, this will have major consequences for life on Earth:

1. Further temperature increase:

• According to the IPCC Synthesis Report 2023, there are various scenarios for the expected global temperature increase by the end of this century. Current nationally determined contributions (NDCs) for 2030 will lead to a temperature rise of 1.5°C in the first half of the 2030s. Continuing on this path, it will be very difficult to keep the temperature increase below 2.0°C by the end of the 21st century.
• The average global temperature has increased by 1 degree Celsius in 130 years. In the Netherlands, the average increased by 1.7 degrees Celsius¹.
• The past 30 years have been the warmest in 1,400 years, according to KNMI.

2. Sea level rise: 

• The sea level has risen by 20 centimeters over the past 130 years.
• It continues to rise, potentially causing coastal areas to flood and millions of people to lose their homes.
• The sea level at the Dutch coast is expected to rise by 25 to 80 centimeters in the next 60 years, according to KNMI.

3. Extreme weather:

• We are experiencing more extreme weather, such as heatwaves, heavy rainfall, and droughts. This is bad for agriculture and the availability of (drinking) water.

4. Ecosystems and biodiversity:

• Many plants and animals cannot adapt quickly enough to changing conditions.
• The average population size of wild animals has shrunk by a shocking 73% since 1970.

5. Economic and social impact:

• Climate change costs a lot of money. Damage from extreme weather events is increasing, and more investment is needed to keep buildings cool. These investments are easier for wealthy countries than for poorer countries. And it is often the wealthy, industrial countries that cause most climate problems. Poor countries are faced with the consequences but often do not have the resources to solve them, leading to greater global inequality according to OXFAM Novib.

• Solar and wind energy:
  These are renewable sources of energy that, once operational, do not emit CO₂. The Netherlands has the most solar panels per capita among EU member states and is a pioneer in offshore wind parks. Due to its favorable location, the Netherlands is well-placed to generate large amounts of offshore wind energy. Eneco has both onshore and offshore wind parks and is building more wind capacity. It also installs solar roofs and develops solar parks.

• Heat pumps and solar boilers:
  Using these sustainable alternatives to central heating boilers produces no direct CO2 emissions for heating.
  A hybrid heat pump can save up to 80% on gas. The central heating boiler is only used when it is colder than about 4°C outside, or for hot water.

• Heat networks:
  In cities, heat networks efficiently provide heat to homes. Eneco’s district heating, for example, uses residual heat from industry, waste processing, or gas production. Some heat networks can also cool homes in the summer. Eneco aims to supply all customers with 100% sustainable heat by 2035 and is developing new heat grids together with municipalities, housing corporations, and other parties.

Top 10 impacts for the average Dutch person⁷:

• Buy fewer items: rent, borrow, and repair whenever possible: 
  Most of the environmental impact of goods happens out of sight. By buying fewer or second-hand products, fewer new products need to be made, reducing emissions.

• Limit car and air miles as much as possible:
  Driving consumes energy and, if not electric, emits greenhouse gases. Alternatives like cycling, walking, and public transport help limit climate change. Flying has a massive impact, so flying less is an important step.

• Insulation: 
  Insulating homes saves energy and money, and reduces CO₂ emissions.

• More plant-based food:
  The production of meat and dairy has a significant climate impact due to the CO₂ released from manure. Eating less meat and dairy, and choosing plant-based alternatives, reduces the climate impact.

• Prevent food waste:
  Waste as little food and water as possible. Less food waste means less is produced, reducing pressure on the food system, and thus climate change.

• Organic circular agriculture:
  A sustainable form of farming that keeps soil healthy and puts less strain on the environment..

• Local and regional food:
  By choosing locally-produced foods, less transport is required, lowering CO₂ emissions.

• Eating seasonal food:
  Strawberries can be grown in winter, but that typically involves heated greenhouses. It’s better for the climate to eat only fruit and vegetables that can be produced and harvested in the open season without heating.

Governments have long debated new policies to keep climate change manageable. The Paris Agreement was adopted in 2015, setting the goal of limiting global warming to well below 2°C, and preferably 1.5°C, compared to pre-industrial levels. Europe aims to be climate neutral by 2050. By 2030, CO2 emissions must be reduced by 55% compared to 1990.

Climate agreement and climate act
The Dutch climate agreement details how the Netherlands intends to achieve the targets of the Paris Agreement⁴. The 2019 agreement was signed by companies and (government) organizations and includes measures for five sectors. These goals come from the Paris Agreement and are laid down in Dutch law - the climate act - which stipulates a 49% reduction in greenhouse gases by 2030, and a 95% reduction by 2050, compared to 1990. Governments also use subsidies to steer investments toward clean technologies like solar panels and make international agreements on carbon pricing.

There is only one Earth, so we must live within its natural limits. Warming must stay below 1.5°C. In 2021, Eneco launched the One Planet plan, aiming for climate neutrality by 2035 for both its activities and the energy supplied to customers. The plan includes measurable targets on climate, biodiversity, circularity, and society.

Eneco aims to achieve its climate ambitions in three ways::

1. Helping customers become more sustainable

• By supplying 100% green electricity
• By offering alternatives to natural gas, such as (hybrid) heat pumps, (small-scale) heat grids, and green gas and green hydrogen (for industry)
• By making transport greener through electric charging

2. Generating more sustainable energy

• By generating more green electricity to power heat pumps and electric cars
• By generating green heat for heat networks, for instance through aquathermal and geothermal energy
• By using green molecules like biomethane and green hydrogen for industry

3. Balancing and optimizing the energy system

• By developing CO₂-free alternatives like large-scale batteries, e-boilers, and heat buffers
• By bundling different sources—heat pumps, electric cars, solar and wind parks—in virtual power plants. These can better balance supply and demand in the energy market.