The Netherlands is a densely populated country with scarce natural resources. It is one of the world's largest agriculture exporters (by value). The Netherlands has a good record in implementing EU environmental legislation overall, with some exceptions.
Nature and biodiversity are still under huge pressure from intensive agriculture which places a considerable burden on the environment.
Highlights
The Netherlands ensures effective access to courts in national environmental cases to the public concerned, without excessive costs.
The Netherlands is a front-runner in the field of the circular economy holding the highest circularity rate (30.6%) and the highest resource productivity (EUR 5.46/kg) in the EU, and achieving a 90% separate collection of organic waste.
The Netherlands has a long tradition of sustainable public procurement. The Sustainable Public Procurement Manifesto (2022–2025) was signed by all Dutch ministries, a third of Dutch provinces, 50 municipalities and all Dutch regional water authorities. It covers social return, diversity and inclusion, international supply chain responsibility, the environment and biodiversity, the circular economy and climate.
Main Challenges
Circular economy
Despite being one of the EU’s best circular economy performers, the Netherlands still has progress to make, including on the introduction of new economic instruments to prevent waste by avoiding the incineration of reusable or recyclable waste and by making reuse and recycling more economically attractive.
Nature and biodiversity
Over three quarters of protected habitats and species still have an unfavourable conservation status. A key reason for the deterioration of habitats is the continued significant pressure from agriculture, in particular due to nitrogen deposition affecting many sensitive habitats from bogs to forests and the changes in the water regime (drainage).
Pollution
Water quality and quantity are seriously affected by land-use and highly intensive agriculture.
Governance and investment
The investment gap per year is around 0.4% of national GDP, lower than the EU average of 0.77%.
The Netherlands needs to ensure that relevant information on environmental impact assessment (EIA) and strategic environmental assessment (SEA) procedures (including on public participation possibilities and publication of final decisions) is electronically accessible and to provide information on the average duration of all steps in the EIA process.