The Netherlands, with a population of 16.6 million and an annual GDP of $768.7 billion, has established a national environmental policy plan (NEPP) to address issues like air pollution and biodiversity loss. The latest NEPP-4 focuses on sustainable development and aims for an environmentally friendly future by 2030, promoting principles such as precautionary policy-making and polluter pays. The country significantly invests in mitigating environmental issues, exceeding European averages, and emphasizes private sector cooperation and consumer education to tackle major environmental challenges.

1. Netherlands Population 16.6 million Growth Rate 0.436% Land Area 41,526 sq km Annual GDP $768.7 billion The CIA World Factbook 2008

4. National Environmental Policy Plan (NEPP) The first NEPP adopted in 1989 as a response to discoveries of air pollution and soil contamination . The most recent policy plan, NEPP-4, has a horizon of 2030.

5. Purpose To provide a broader, more future-oriented vision [than the previous environmental policy plan].

6. Vision “ Environmental policy should contribute towards a safe and healthy life within an attractive living environment and surrounded by dynamic nature areas, without damaging global biodiversity or depleting natural resources, at present, elsewhere and in the future.” (NEPP-4)

7. Future Environment Agenda The Cabinet’s plan for implementing environmental policy and the goals of NEPP Adopted in 2006

8. Vision

9. Principles Sustainable development Prevention of adverse activities Precautionary policy-making Abatement at source Polluter pays As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA)

10. Comprehensive 1. of large scope; covering or involving much; inclusive 2. comprehending mentally; having an extensive mental range or grasp.

11. Challenges Loss of Biodiversity Climate Change Air Pollution Acidification Noise Pollution Hazardous Waste Water Quality

12. Indicators Climate change Acidification Eutrophication Toxics dispersion Waste disposal Local nuisance (noise & order) Groundwater depletion Squandering

13. Air Pollution

14. Fact The Netherlands spends 3% of its national income mitigating environmental issues. This is more than twice the European average. Source:

15. Systemic of or pertaining to a system. Physiology, Pathology. (a) pertaining to or affecting the body as a whole. (b) pertaining to or affecting a particular body system.

16. “Future-Proof” Policy A government that regulates more effectively; Room for healthy growth; Bringing environmental policy closer to the citizen.

17. Words of Wisdom When policy is implemented, quality should improve and causing unnecessary irritation on the part of citizens and the business community should be avoided. ( Future Environment Agenda )

18. Policy Instruments Netherlands Green Plan Implementation Environmental Technology Financial Instruments Social Instruments Environmental Reporting International Environmental Agreements Direct Regulation

19. Matrix for Policy Decisions Source: VROM International Elsewhere in the World In the Future Here and Now Environmental Social and Cultural Economic Dimensional Aspects

20. Clean Air Provinces and municipalities must implement local measures to mitigate air pollution.

21. Biodiversity Government was working on an Ecobalance system to measure the environmental impact of a company, product, or activity.

22. Waste Management As of 2003, the Netherlands recycled 80% of waste material. Of all EU countries, the Netherlands puts a least amount of waste in landfills.

23. Waste Management 2003

24. Climate Change

25. Air Pollution

26. Leading by Example Sustainable Government Operations program launched in 2006. By 2010, government hopes that sustainability will be the guiding factor for all government purchases.

27. EU Relations

30. Integrative 1. to bring together or incorporate (parts) into a whole. 2. to make up, combine, or complete to produce a whole or a larger unit, as parts do. 3. to unite or combine.

32. Private Sector Cooperation Voluntary agreements (covenants) are made between businesses and government to set emission reduction goals. Long-term goals allow flexibility for businesses to adapt practices over time, according to financial cycles.

33. Private Sector Cooperation Starting in 2008, businesses will report to one single office (rather than 500 different ones) for licenses and monitoring.

36. Consumer Education Dealing with major environmental problems demands far-reaching social changes.

37. How much is environmental policy worth to the public?

38. Consumer Education Government and businesses are accountable for progress on reducing emissions. The National Institute for Public Health and Environment (RIVM) provides public report cards every two years on government and industry progress.

39. Accountable 1. subject to the obligation to report, explain, or justify something; responsible; answerable. 2. capable of being explained; explicable; explainable.

41. Targets (example)

42. Decoupling

43. Efficiency