SDG 15 Life on land
- The relative area of natural space in the Netherlands is decreasing. Less and less ‘green and blue’ space is available per person and the area managed under Netherlands Nature Network (NNN) as a share of the total land area (20.9 percent in 2022) is no longer trending upwards. The Netherlands is also one of the most densely populated countries in the EU.
- Dutch spending on the environment and on environmental protection as a percentage of GDP is relatively high. Total environmental spending and government spending on environmental protection are among the highest in the EU27.
- Human activity puts a lot of pressure on the natural system in the Netherlands. The country had one of the highest surpluses of both phosphorus and nitrogen in 2019. Excess phosphorus and nitrogen have negative consequences for the quality of surface water and for ecosystems such as heathland, forests and dunes.
- The quality of Dutch ecosystems is under pressure. In spite of a gradual long-term decrease, nitrogen deposition continues to have a substantial impact on the environment. In 2021 two-thirds of all Dutch land-based nature was affected by excesses of the critical load value.
- Biodiversity is declining. The downward trend in the population of farmland birds (27 species of meadow, field and farmyard birds prevalent in the Netherlands) points to a sharp deterioration in habitats for these species. The trend in populations or distribution (depending on the species measured) of Dutch land fauna is also downward.
Dashboard and indicators
Resources and opportunities
in EU
in 2022
in EU
in 2019
in EU
in 2021
Use
in EU
in 2019
in EU
in 2019
Outcomes
in EU
in 2019
Subjective assessment
in EU
in 2020
| Theme | Indicator | Value | Trend | Position in EU | Position in EU ranking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resources and opportunities | Government expenditure on environment protection | 1.4% of gross domestic product in 2022 | 1st out of 27 in 2022 | High ranking | |
| Resources and opportunities | Total environmental expenditure A) | 2.3% of gross domestic product in 2023 | 5th out of 27 in 2019 | High ranking | |
| Resources and opportunities | Area per person | 2,332 m2 per capita in 2023 | decreasing (decrease well-being) | 26th out of 27 in 2021 | Low ranking |
| Resources and opportunities | Green-blue space, excluding conventional farming D) | 895.5 m2 green space and freshwater area per capita in 2022 | decreasing (decrease well-being) | ||
| Resources and opportunities | Nature- and forest areas on land | 19.2% of the total terrestrial area in 2022 | |||
| Use | Managed natural assets (terrestrial) within NNN | 20.9% of total land area in 2022 | |||
| Use | Phosphorus surplus A) | 2 kg phosphorus per hectare utilised agricultural area in 2023 | 15th out of 16 in 2019 | Low ranking | |
| Use | Nitrogen surplus A) | 167 kg nitrogen per hectare utilised agricultural area in 2023 | 16th out of 16 in 2019 | Low ranking | |
| Outcomes | Nitrogen deposition and terrestrial nature areas | 64.4% of terrestrial nature areas suffer from critical load exceedance in 2021 | |||
| Outcomes | Red List Indicator A) | 61.1% of non-threatened species in 2022 | |||
| Outcomes | Farmland birds | 57.0 index (1995=100) in 2023 | decreasing (decrease well-being) | 6th out of 17 in 2019 | Middle ranking |
| Outcomes | Fauna on land | 86 index (trend 1990=100) in 2022 | decreasing (decrease well-being) | ||
| Subjective assessment | Environmental problems | 14.5% of the population over 16 experience problems in 2023 | 18th out of 26 in 2020 | Middle ranking |
Colour codes and notes to the dashboards in the Monitor of Well-being
Healthy ecosystems are fundamental to processes that impact well-being, such as availability of clean water and air, occurrence of insects for pollination, and opportunities for leisure, recreation and education. Nature has intrinsic value for well-being ‘here and now’ as well as for that of future generations. It is also a critical factor: once ecosystems are destroyed, the damage may prove irreparable. In December 2022, UN member states ratified the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). Like the SDG agenda, the GBF comprises a set of goals, targets and indicators, in this case specifically in the area of biodiversity and ecosystems. The Netherlands is also committed to achieving these goals.
The Dutch government’s Climate Agreement sets reduction targets for greenhouse gas emissions by agriculture and through land use. Under the National Agricultural Soils Programme (NPL), all Dutch agricultural landowners should be applying sustainable soil management methods by 2030. Optimal soil quality is also important for SDG 2 Zero hunger now and in the future.
The dashboard presents a sombre image. Medium-term trends (2016-2023) for indicators on ‘green and blue’ space, total available space per capita and two of the biodiversity indicators point to declining well-being. Not one indicator is moving in the direction of increasing well-being. The Netherlands is trailing well behind on three of the seven indicators that can be compared with other EU countries. On the other hand, government spending on environmental protection and total expenditure on the environment (as a percentage of GDP) are relatively high.
Resources and opportunities concern the area of natural land and the available resources to restore and protect it. In 2022, government spending on environmental protection amounted to 1.4 percent of GDP, just as in 2021.
Use relates to the protection and use of natural space and the ecosystems in it, and the pressure human activity puts on the whole system. The Netherlands Nature Network (NNN) covers both existing and planned land-based nature areas. In 2022, NNN areas accounted for 20.9 percent of the total land area.
Outcomes relate to the quality of ecosystems and biodiversity. Excess nitrogen in soil causes loss of rare flora and fauna. Ammoniac – mainly from agriculture – is a main factor in this, but nitrous oxides emitted by traffic and industry also play a role. The risk of vulnerable flora disappearing increases when nitrogen deposition exceeds its critical load value.
Subjective assessment describes people’s perception of the quality of natural areas and their concerns about pollution and the disappearance of species. In 2023, 14.5 percent of the population aged 16 years and older reported nuisance from refuse, pollution or other environmental problems. The trend is neutral, but experienced nuisance was slightly up on 2022 (by 0.7 of a percentage point). The Netherlands occupies a middle position in Europe.