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, all major 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 in innovative ways to maintain growth while ensuring conservation and sustainable use of environmental assets.

The principal aim of the OECD Environmental Performance Review programme is to help member and selected partner countries improve their individual and collective performance in environmental management by:

The following signs are used in Figures and Tables:

People and Society

As a small, densely populated country with a very open economy, the Netherlands became a forerunner in environmental policy decades ago when it was confronted with acute environmental pressures. More recently, the government has reined in ambitions for environmental policy objectives to levels set by the European Union (EU), with a view to promoting a level playing field. Given its strong track record, it may be tempting for the Dutch government to wait and let other countries catch up in areas where it is already doing well. But, the country still faces some persistent environmental challenges, including addressing diffuse pollution (such as nitrogen deposition in nature areas) and securing significant improvements in the quality of ecosystems and biodiversity, and new issues continue to emerge.

The Assessment and recommendations presents the main findings of the OECD Environmental Performance Review of the Netherlands and identifies 29 recommendations to support the country’s further progress towards its environmental policy objectives and international commitments. The OECD Working Party on Environmental Performance reviewed and approved the Assessment and recommendations at its meeting on 18 June 2015. Actions taken to implement selected recommendations from the 2003 OECD Environmental Performance Review are summarised in the Annex.