News Climate figures
STAF makes PBL go through the dust
On Thursday 10 January, the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (PBL) again made an adjustment to an article about the correlation between meat consumption and the climate. This in response to the questions that the Agri Facts Foundation (STAF) asked earlier.
According to the PBL, this mainly concerns a clarification of the numbers. Figures now show that halving meat consumption in Europe could reduce 'agricultural-related' emissions by 2% to 4%. The article previously stated that halving meat consumption would reduce emissions by 25% to 40%.
These emissions are currently about 9%; if you deduct 25% to 40% there, this means a reduction of 2% to 4% of the total European greenhouse gas emissions. However, the latter was not explained in the PBL publication, but has now been added.
Deliberately?
The PBL has indicated that it has made a textual adjustment to clarify the publication. John Spithoven, chairman of STAF, on the other hand, thinks that the PBL purposely did not provide this information, thus creating a distorted picture. "This is strange. They talk around the facts, indicate that they are correct and that only textual errors have been made. However, in the meantime the figures of STAFF taken over."
As a result of the entire discussion, various politicians are now asking minister Carola Schouten (Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality) questions. Helma Lodders, Erik Ziengs and Dilan YeÅŸilgöz-Zegerius (all VVD) want to know whether Schouten agrees that it is worrying when an independent and scientific advisory institute of the government publishes incorrect and unfounded data.
The CDA has also asked parliamentary questions. The MPs (and STAF) are particularly concerned about the fact that regulations are being made on an incorrect basis, for example in the new Climate Agreement.
Tim Roetman
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