This presentation was made by Monique Fasol, Netherlands, at the Introductory Workshop on Green Budgeting Tools held at the OECD, Paris, on 29 April 2019

1. Evaluation of
climate policy
in the Netherlands
Monique Fasol
OESO green budgeting collaborative
Paris April 2019

2. Content
1) When to assess climate policy measures?
2) How often to measure/evaluate the impact?
3) How to react on the results?
4) How to communicate the results/progress?
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3. 1) When to assess climate policy measures?
• Before introducing a new measure
• During operation
• (After termination)
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4. Before the introduction
Dutch Assessment Framework for new Tax Expenditures
1. Clear problem that requires action from the government?
2. Is the goal clear and unequivocal formulated (SMART)?
3. Is financial intervention required?
4. Is a subsidy better than a levy?
5. Is a tax subsidy (TE) better than an expenditure subsidy?
6. Evaluation warranted?
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5. Before the introduction
Dutch Spending Plan for new Expenditures/Subsidies
1. Matter
- What is the problem to be solved?
- What is the goal, clear and unequivocal formulated (SMART)?
2. Policy measure
- Chosen measure & estimated budgetary impact?
- Execution, effectiveness & efficiency?
3. Evaluation
- Specific information for assessment?
- Assessment method?
- Procedure & responsibilities?
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6. Before the introduction
Example: Dutch aviation tax
• Part of government coalition (2017)
• 3 different options assessed
- In European collaboration
- Ticket tax per passenger
- Tax on polluting & noisy airplanes
• Several evaluations by independent research
bureaus on feasibility and consequences for
environment & economy
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Bron: CE Delft, 2018

7. 2) How often to measure/evaluate the impact?
Questions to be asked:
• What is the objective?
• Is it reached because of the expenditure?
• At what cost?
• Is it worth it?
Two types of evaluations during operation...
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8. During operation
Interdepartmental policy researches (IBO)
• When? 1 – 2 IBOs per year
• What? Independent research (!);
• Why? To improve the efficiency of the existing policy and to
propose alternative (new) opportunities for saving;
• Who? Various departments as well as externals involved;
• How? Fixed procedures, with experience from inside and
outside the departments
Example: IBO on the cost-effectiveness of measures for climate
goals with a view to cost-effective policy for reducing
greenhouse gases (2016).
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9. During operation
Evaluation of specific measures
• When? General rule is evaluate every 7 years
• What? Internal evaluations
• Why? To assess the efficiency and effectivity of the measure
• Who? Within departments, Court of Audit and Bureau for
Economic Policy Analysis sometimes evaluate as well or
check our evaluations
• How? Huge workload! Therefore pragmatic evaluation schedule,
Recent standard: Sunset clause
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10. During operation
Example: Evaluation of the EIA (Profit
deduction for Energy Investments)
• When? In 2018
• Who? Independant research office
• What? Does EIA stimulate company’s energy
saving efficiently & effectively?
• Results:
- Cost-efficient stimulation of energy-saving
investments (€ 15-17 per ton CO2-reduction)
- Performance costs in line with estimations
- High customer satisfaction about support by
institutions
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Bron: CE Delft, 2018

11. 3) How to react on the results?
• Official letter from the cabinet to
parliament, including
• Summary of the results of the report
• Recommendations of the researchers
• Reaction of cabinet (agree/ disagree with
report)
• Suggested adaptations of the policy
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Bron: RVO, 2018

12. 4) How to communicate the results/ progress?
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13. Example:
Dutch Energy Agreement - Facts
• Closed in 2013
• More than 40 parties: authorities,
employers, trade unions, civil society
and financial institutions
• Topics:
o Energy saving
o Clean energy
o Climate policy
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Bron: SER, 2013

14. Example:
Dutch Energy Agreement – Evaluation
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• When? Every year (NEV)
• Who? Independant research
bureaus
(ECN, PBL, CBS & RVO)
• What? Progress report
• Reaction? Official reaction of
cabinet, including suggested
additional measures to meet goals
• Communication? Results publicly
available via website
Bron: RVO, 2017

15. Example ‘communication of results’:
Dutch Energy Agreement
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16. Example ‘communication of results’:
Dutch Energy Agreement
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17. Example ‘communication of results’:
Dutch Energy Agreement
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18. Example ‘communication of results’:
Dutch Energy Agreement
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19. Thank you for your attention!
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