The quality of the environment in the Netherlands has improved considerably since 1990. Emissions of harmful substances into the atmosphere, for example, have been reduced significantly as a result of measures taken to comply with European standards. Almost everywhere, the air quality meets the European requirements as cars become cleaner and emissions produced by manufacturing industry are reduced. Contaminated soil sites have been mapped, facilitating a systematic approach. Waste produced by industries and households is increasingly recycled. Although the water quality has improved marginally, a major effort will be required to comply with the European standards for 2027 as laid down in the Water Framework Directive.
The editors have selected the most important indicators. Together, they provide a picture of the state of the environment.
Vernieuwd
Quality surface water, 2019
Indicator | 14 januari 2021Most water bodies do not meet the quality requirements as laid down in the European Water Framework Directive (WFD). The chemical quality is in most water bodies insufficient. The... meer
Number of threatened and extinct species in The Netherlands, by 2020
Indicator | 10 november 2020Officially assembled Red Lists show that many Dutch plant and animal species are threatened with extinction.
Greenhouse gas emissions, 1990-2018
Indicator | 22 juli 2020In 2018, greenhouse gas emissions were 2.7% lower than in 2017, a decrease of 5.1 Mton CO2 equivalents. Emissions in 2018 were 15.1% lower than in 1990.
Red List Indicator, 1995 - 2019
Indicator | 1 mei 2020Between 1950 and 1995, many species native to the Netherlands became endangered to some degree. Since 2005 the number of endangered species increased slightly. However, a noticeable... meer
Trend fauna - all species monitored - Living Planet Index Netherlands, 1990-2018
Indicator | 30 maart 2020The Living Planet Index of the Netherlands has increased with 3% since 1990. The trend has stabilised over the past decade.
