Netherlands biodiversity recovery faces pressure from €11 billion in harmful subsidies

The National Biodiversity Dashboard indicates that the Netherlands is struggling to meet nature recovery goals. An analysis by WUR, CE Delft, and Naturalis Biodiversity Center reveals that approximately €11 billion is spent annually on subsidies and tax schemes that have a predominantly negative impact on biodiversity.

In contrast, subsidies dedicated to nature management and restoration amount to only €3.9 billion. Under the global Biodiversity Treaty, nations have agreed to phase out biodiversity-harmful subsidies by 2030 and redirect them toward conservation and restoration efforts.

Minister Jaimi van Essen has indicated that additional actions will be taken to address areas where the country is falling behind. Achieving these targets requires greater cohesion in Dutch subsidy policy to ensure public funds stimulate rather than hinder environmental recovery.