Introduction to Netherlands

The Netherlands is a country in northwestern Europe, its name meaning “lowlands,” in reference to its low elevation, with approximately 26% of the nation situated below sea level.1 Its population of approximately 17.5 million people is predominantly urban, comprising about 93% of the total population.2 The Netherlands experiences a temperate maritime climate, predominantly influenced by the North Sea, its low-lying geography and extensive canal systems.3 Historically, the Netherlands has faced significant challenges with water management, particularly in response to catastrophic events like the North Sea flood of 1953.4 The Netherlands is a remarkably high income country, with a GDP approximately $1.01 trillion (2022)5 , and a per capita GDP of about $57,025.6 The Dutch economy is diverse, with significant contributions from sectors such agriculture, resource extraction and transportation.7 The country’s global history of trade and colonialism has shaped its current economic and political landscape, allowing for considerable flexibility and resources to respond to intensifying climate impacts.

Mapping Major Climate Events and Climate-Induced Displacement

Despite its topological vulnerability to rising sea levels, the Netherlands is well positioned to adapt. The ND-Gain Index ranks the Netherlands as the 14th most ready country in the world of 185 nations.8 However, the country’s low-lying regions and densely populated urban areas remain particularly susceptible to flooding. The 1953 flood disaster highlighted the critical importance of dyke maintenance. While the poor state of the flood defenses was known, necessary improvements were deprioritized and the impacts of this were catastrophic: 1,836 people lost their lives and 43,000 houses were damaged.9 Such impactful events have been rare, yet they are increasing in frequency. Though no disaster events were reported between 2008 and 2020, since 2020, 3 events have been reported. For example, major wildfires in 2020 displaced 4,000 people, and extreme rainfall in July 2021 displaced 51,000 people.10  In addition to local precipitation, the country faced severe impacts from heavy rains in Belgium, Luxembourg, and Germany, which flowed downstream through rivers into the Netherlands, with over 10,000 residents ordered to evacuate along the Maas River.11 Compounding factors such as rising sea levels and increasing precipitation–as well as the growing intensity of wildfires–intensify these displacement events, highlighting the need for robust and collaborative climate adaptation measures throughout the region.
 

Mapping the Costs of the Climate Crisis

The Dutch economy has traditionally been strong, but recent trends indicate growing concerns over housing12 affordability and income inequality, issues only exacerbated by the climate crisis. The 2021 floods, for instance, resulted in estimated damages of  €1.8 billion.13  The flooding led to 25,000 damage reports from Limburg and Brabant, and according to the Dutch Association of Insurers, the estimated insured damage, predominantly related to homes and vehicles,  ranged from €160 million to €250 million in total.14 Wildfires have more recently bore additional climate costs, with annual firefighting and restoration costs estimated at about  € 2.7 million.15 Across the continent, the cost of climate-induced disasters has been inordinate. Over the past decade, climate events such as heat waves, wildfires, floods, and storms, have caused over €145 billion in economic losses through the European Union.16

Mapping Resilience and Mitigation Pathways

The Netherlands has been widely celebrated17 for its commitment to mitigation and the creation of extensive flood defenses. The Delta Works, consisting of 3 locks, 6 dams, and 4 storm surge barriers, is the Netherlands' largest flood defense system, designed to directly address the country's susceptibility to flooding from the North Sea.14  The government has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 49% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels, and a 95% reduction by 205018 , scaling back from its previous target of net zero emissions by 2050.19 Mitigation strategies focus on enhancing flood defenses, promoting renewable energy, and improving urban planning to prevent forced migration. Progress has been made in constructing advanced flood barriers and developing resilient infrastructure, although challenges remain in fully transitioning key industries away from fossil fuels. In 2023, the Netherlands is also part of a collective effort by Western European countries to significantly increase the production of clean energy from wind turbines in the North Sea, aiming to meet climate targets and reduce reliance on non-allied energy sources, though further progress on this initiative has not yet been made available.20
 

Necessary Changes

The Netherlands  has a strong foundation in resilience and mitigation pathways, supported by political will and public awareness. However, it is essential for these efforts to continue keeping equitable implementation, transcontinental collaboration, and international climate and ecological justice in mind. Locally, this includes the development of affordable flood-resistant housing and public insurance availability. After the Limburg flood, the Dutch government implemented the Reimbursement for Damages due to Disasters Act due to the widespread lack of available insurance coverage. However, the application of this Act is restricted to the government's discretion, only providing partial compensation for private individuals and companies if deemed applicable. The government has declared that the Limburg flood will be the last insurable flood event covered under this Act, now leaving the insurance market to develop solutions in times of crisis.14
While the Netherlands is often hailed as a leader in climate action, it can also be recognized as a leader in global climate injustice. Despite having one of the smallest populations among high income nations, the Netherlands was the largest exporter of plastic waste to non-OECD countries for decades, in 2021, exporting over 200 million kilograms.21 This occurred despite international regulations such as the Basel Convention and the EU Waste Shipment Directive, with much of the plastic waste being sent to countries such as Indonesia, Vietnam, and Malaysia in what has become known as plastic waste trafficking.22 While being celebrated for climate diplomacy23 , the Netherlands continues to lead in the world24 in harmful plastic waste exports25 and investments in extractive industries in historically disenfranchised regions (e.g., in sub-Saharan Africa)26 , responsible for high carbon emissions that are not factored into assessments of the Netherlands climate activity.27 The Netherlands’ climate strategy must address this and other failings, with renewed international policies that complement local initiatives, fostering a collaborative approach that centers justice for all and recognizes the fact that the Netherlands’ ability to mitigate the impacts of the climate crisis are intertwined with that of its neighbors, both regionally and globally.