Netherlands loses ’green policy leader’ tag

Archiv – According to a report by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), The Netherlands is no longer a front runner in environmental policy-making. The report is the latest in a series reviewing the environmental policies of OECD members.According to a report by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), The Netherlands is no longer a front runner in environmental policy-making. The report is the latest in a series reviewing the environmental policies of OECD members.
The OECD recognises the success of the country’s blend of regulation and voluntary agreements, and highlights ’the government’€™s strength in establishing frameworks rather than micro-managing’€™. The OECD also praises The Netherlands’€™ record in spearheading and implementing international environmental commitments, while the quality of environmental information and public participation in decision-making are also highly commended. However, the OECD rates as weak The Netherlands’€™ integration of environmental concerns in key economic sectors such as transport and agriculture.
In a statement, Dutch environment minister Pieter van Geel said the country’€™s environmental priorities for its six-month EU presidency in the second half of 2004 would be climate change and sustainable energy, chemicals and major industrial hazards.