Parliament votes for more green gas despite concerns over manure and energy bills

The Dutch House of Representatives has approved a new law introducing a mandatory blending requirement for green gas to reduce CO2 emissions. By utilizing sources such as food waste and manure, the government aims to inject billions of cubic meters of sustainable gas into the network. The legislation faces significant debate, as critics point to potential increases in household energy bills and concerns that manure-based gas production could inadvertently encourage intensive livestock farming. Government officials contend that the transition will be managed carefully to ensure agricultural sustainability and have promised to monitor for any negative environmental impacts.

Despite these assurances, some political parties expressed strong opposition. The Partij voor de Dieren remains skeptical about the impact on the bio-industry, while the BBB voted against the measure due to concerns regarding future manure availability. The government intends to implement the policy by January 1, pending rapid approval from the Senate. Once in effect, the requirement will scale gradually, with approximately 10 percent of household gas consumption expected to be green by 2031.