Controversial options are also needed for climate-neutral Netherlands in 2050

Availability of bio-raw materials and hydrogen are bottlenecks

The supply of sustainable bio raw materials and green hydrogen (from renewable electricity) will have to multiply. Scaling up production and logistics in the short term is urgent. But in the period up to 2050, these indispensable substitutes for fossil fuels will remain scarce. The scarcity leads to high prices, which will make electric alternatives more attractive where possible. An international market will probably emerge for green hydrogen. By creating more generation capacity for renewable electricity and building electrolysers for hydrogen production, the Netherlands will become less dependent on it. But that also requires more labor and materials, which may also be scarce. These preconditions have not been specifically investigated. If the availability of bio-based raw materials and hydrogen is disappointing, climate neutrality in the Netherlands in 2050 will become considerably more expensive or even impossible due to changes in the use of energy and raw materials. Then climate neutrality is only achievable through more CO₂-storage or a different lifestyle that uses significantly less energy and raw materials.