The four environmental organisations involved in Dutch government-instigated talks on combating climate change are threatening not to sign the final agreements, the Volkskrant has reported.

The government has set up five separate think-tanks looking at ways to stop climate change and cut carbon dioxide emissions covering mobility, electricity, industry, agriculture and the built environment.

However, the agreements reached so far will not achieve the government’s target of cutting CO2 emissions by 49% by 2030, the green groups say. ‘If this is the final deal, then we will not sign,’ the paper quotes Greenpeace director Joris Thijssen as saying.

Greenpeace, Milieudefensie, Natuur & Milieu and the Milieufederaties held a joint press conference on Tuesday to outline their problems with the deals.

In particular they are critical of the way some subjects, such as road pricing and a tax on CO2, have been branded taboo by both industry and the cabinet.

The finalised plans are due to be presented to the public on December 21. In total, 300 people from unions, green groups, industry and government have been involved in drawing up ways to meet the target.