Prime minister Mark Rutte has told parliament that businesses will have to pay their ‘fair share’ of the costs of last month’s climate agreement, public broadcaster NOS reports.

The agreement, which is aimed at slashing carbon dioxide emissions 49% by 2030, does not include a pollution tax for businesses which exceed the emissions norm because the cabinet fears it may affect competitiveness.

Instead the cabinet opted for stimulating new techniques and fines for businesses who fail to implement them. However, if these are shown not to bring in enough a tax on CO2, as favoured by Labour and GroenLinks, may be on the table, as will other alternatives, Rutte said.

‘Businesses cannot have an unfair advantage,’ he said in answer to a question from GroenLink leader Jesse Klaver who said he feared industry got off too lightly.

The prime minister said the December climate agreement will not put too great a financial burden on ordinary people and the cabinet will make sure businesses pay their share.