Amsterdam is becoming more sustainable. We eat less meat and dairy and more plant-based food. We use 12 per cent less energy than in 2019. And the municipality itself emits 75 per cent less CO₂ than in 2018. This is shown in the report Our City of Tomorrow. The report explains how Amsterdam is developing in a more sustainable way.
In September 2023, the municipal executive published the letter Our City of Tomorrow. In it, they explained how they are tackling the climate crisis, and what the city can expect until 2026 in the field of sustainability. Now, after two years, the first progress report is here: where does Amsterdam stand in reaching its sustainability goals?
What we’ve achieved so far
Progress is clearly visible in several areas:
- The use of new, non-sustainable materials by residents and businesses fell from 23 billion kilos in 2018 to 14 billion kilos in 2023.
- CO₂ emissions from the port and industry dropped significantly, partly due to the closure of the Hemweg coal-fired power plant:
- 2019: 5,123 kilotonnes of CO₂ per year
- 2023: 1,269 kilotonnes of CO₂ per year
- Homes are more energy efficient: 63 per cent now have an energy label A–D (in 2012 this was only 20 per cent).
Climate targets still out of reach
We’ve achieved a lot in recent years, and the results are visible in our city. However, the climate goals are still out of reach. If we continue on the current path, CO₂ emissions will be reduced by 46 percent by 2030 compared to 2018. That’s a significant improvement, but the target is 60 percent. The goal to reduce material use by 50 percent by 2030 is also not yet within reach.
The next step
To reach these goals, major changes are needed such as expanding the electricity grid, making industry more sustainable, and investing in heat networks. These require decisions, legislation and funding from the national government.
We are exploring which additional measures we as a municipality can take to achieve a 60 percent reduction in CO₂ emissions by 2030. These would mainly focus on mobility, housing and industry, as these are still the biggest sources of emissions.
Moving forward together
The figures show that together we are making a difference, from the food we eat to the way we live and travel. But to reach the climate goals, we need to take the next step. The faster we make Amsterdam more sustainable, the healthier and more liveable the city will become.
More information
Read the full progress report on Our City of Tomorrow (in Dutch).
