Global warming and the need for action
The world is changing fast. The average temperature on Earth has risen by more than 1.2 degrees Celsius since the industrial era, and the consequences are felt all the way to the Dutch polders. Long droughts alternate with heavy rainfall, while along our coast the sea level keeps creeping upward in measurable steps. For a low-lying country like the Netherlands, the protection of the living environment and biodiversity is not an abstract issue but a daily responsibility.
The Paris Climate Agreement and the European Green Deal form the framework within which the Netherlands works towards a 55% reduction in CO₂ emissions by 2030 compared with 1990. The target is ambitious, yet achievable. It calls for cooperation between government, knowledge institutes, entrepreneurs and citizens, and for a calm, factual development of our energy supply. Education plays a central role in this: only when people understand why the transition is needed will support arise for the choices that have to be made.
The role of the Netherlands in green energy
In recent years, the Netherlands has gone through a remarkable development in renewable electricity. Roofs of homes, schools, barns and offices together capture more sunlight than ever before. In addition, offshore wind farms in the North Sea continue to grow, with planned capacity that by 2030 can cover the largest share of domestic electricity use.
The approach is deliberately broad. Dutch energy cooperatives allow citizens to become joint owners of solar parks in their village or neighbourhood. Universities in Delft, Eindhoven and Wageningen work on more efficient solar cells, smart grids and energy storage. Through this combination of technology, cooperation and shared ownership, not only the production of clean electricity grows, but also the protection of landscape and nature — because well-integrated projects respect meadow birds, soil and horizon.
The future of agriculture
Dutch agriculture is known worldwide for its innovation. Greenhouse horticulture, precision farming and circular agriculture have been knowledge exports for decades. In 2026 we stand at the threshold of a new step: Agriculture 5.0. This phase combines sensors, satellite data and biodiversity monitoring with the centuries-old craftsmanship of farmers. The aim is clear: more food with less land, less water and less emissions.
Concrete examples are abundant. Vertical farming systems in former industrial buildings produce leafy greens with 90% less water consumption. Arable farmers use drones to track crop health per square metre, so that fertilisers are applied only where they are needed. And agroforestry — combining arable land with woody crops — restores soil life and offers extra protection against wind and drought. Step by step, we are building a future in which agriculture, nature and climate strengthen one another.