Dutch Supreme Court Approves Big CO2 Capture Project in Rotterdam Port

The Netherlands’ highest court has ruled that construction of the Porthos carbon capture project in the Rotterdam port area can proceed, despite objections from environmental campaigners. Porthos is Europe’s largest carbon capture and storage facility and is expected to reduce the country’s annual carbon emissions by around 2% over 15 years starting in 2026. The project involves transporting CO2 emitted by Shell, Exxon Mobil, Air Liquide, and Air Products refineries and chemical plants to empty gas fields under the North Sea. Environmental activists had sued, arguing that the project would harm nearby nature reserves and violate European law. However, the court determined that government-commissioned surveys showed the construction’s impact on the conservation areas would be limited and temporary. The project developers now expect to make a final investment decision in the coming weeks, with construction slated to begin early next year.

The ruling is significant in the Dutch government’s efforts to reduce CO2 emissions, which are crucial to their goal of a 55% reduction by 2030. Nitrogen oxide emissions have been a major concern in the country, with the court’s ruling aimed at reducing these emissions. The Netherlands has struggled with high nitrogen emissions due to factors such as livestock farming, heavy fertilizer use by farmers, and traffic and construction in the densely populated country. The government has faced challenges in coming up with a clear plan to cut emissions drastically. This ruling marks a step forward in addressing the issue and implementing measures to reduce emissions and protect the environment.

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