ABSTRACT
… two long-term visions of the Dutch energy system of the future will be presented, analysed and evaluated. Both visions were formulated with the aim of meeting the requirement of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80 per cent compared to 1990 levels. The two visions adopt very different perspectives and contexts and differ significantly in the way these emission reductions will be achieved. The two, rather opposing, visions show that it is feasible to combine (strong) economic growth with far-reaching reductions of greenhouse gas emissions provided a number of key options are developed and applied. It will be shown that drastic changes in many areas of society are required to reach the desired greenhouse gas emission levels in 2050. However, the results also show that this objective can be realized in different ways. In other words, there are various ways of achieving a low greenhouse gas emission economy in the long term.
