The Netherlands Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment (n.d.) estimated the carbon tax would reduce annual CO2 emissions 1.7 to 2.7 million metric tons annually in 2000, with covered sectors reducing CO2 emissions by approximately 5%. Due to an increase in the tax in 1999, annual CO2 emissions are projected to be reduced 3.6 to 3.8 million tons by 2010 and 4.6 to 5.1 million tons in 2020.