Anon-binding agreement to slash CO2 emissions by 55% by 2030 took place in theNetherlands' parliament on Sept. 22, which would mean the termination of thecountry's five remaining coal-fired power plants, The Guardian reported Sept. 23.

In 2015,five coal-fired power stations were shut, leaving five more in operation. Threeof the remaining plants commenced operations in 2015 and have been heldresponsible for a 5% increase in the country's emissions last year, said thereport.

"Closingdown big coal plants – even if they were recently opened – is by far the mostcost effective way to achieve the goals of the Paris agreement, and allcountries will need to take such far-reaching measures," the publicationquoted Stientje van Veldhoven, Dutch Liberal MP and vice president of theparliament, as saying.

Thevote also calls for a 25% emissions reduction by 2020, following a 2015 courtorder.

Economicminister Henk Kamp earlier this month spoke against the termination of threenew coal-fired power plants built by E.ON SE, RWE Energy AG and Engie. "They are the cleanest(coal plants) in Europe," he said. "We'd be crazy if we shutthem," the report quoted him as saying.

TheDutch government's economic ministry said closing all of the country's coalplants by 2020 would cost 7 billion euros, said the report.

As of Sept. 23, US$1 isequivalent to 0.89 euros.