Book Description

Long recognised as a forerunner in environmental policy, the Netherlands has continued to make important strides in dealing with environmental pressures in what is a very densely populated country with the sixth largest economy in the euro area. In the context of modest growth over 2000-14, it managed to decouple greenhouse gas emissions, allmajor pollutants and waste generation from economic activity. Yet, the Netherlands still has the fifth-highest share of fossil fuels in its energy mix among OECD countries, and around 95% of habitat types and 75% of species are considered threatened. The country needs, therefore, to push the frontier of environmental policy even further and ininnovative ways to maintain growth while ensuring conservation and sustainable use of environmental assets. This third OECD Environmental Performance Review of the Netherlands assesses the country's progress in achieving its environmental policy objectives since the last review carried out in 2003. It identifies what is working well and what can be improved, providing 29 recommendations to help green the economy and improve environmental governance and management. The current drive to modernise environmental policy provides an opportunity for the Netherlands to build on the impressive progress already made in streamlining environmental legislation, regulations and permits. The modernisation effort explores new ways of working with the private sector and civil society, such as in the promising "Green Deals" programme.