THE HAGUE – The Dutch government has acknowledged that Venezuelan oil ranks among the most environmentally harmful in the world, citing its high carbon and methane intensity.
In responses to parliamentary questions, officials confirmed that the exploitation of Venezuela’s oil reserves could have significant implications for global climate targets. Some estimates suggest that fully developing these reserves could consume a substantial portion of the remaining global carbon budget.
Despite this, the government stated it is not in a position to determine whether Venezuela should continue extracting oil. Instead, it emphasized its focus on reducing global fossil fuel dependence through energy transition policies.
The issue underscores the tension between global energy markets and climate commitments.