About: The Netherlands
Germany, Denmark, Netherlands and Belgium sign €135 billion offshore wind pact
Heads of government from the North Sea countries gathered in Esbjerg to sign a cooperation agreement on offshore wind development and “green” hydrogen. They will target at least 65 GW by 2030 and 150 GW by 2050.
Netherlands to ban fossil heating from 2026, make heat pumps mandatory
The Dutch government intends to ban new fossil fuel-centric heating system installations as of 2026, while introducing the mandatory use of heat pumps or connections to heat networks.
Dutch central bank “deeply regrets” role in slave trade
The Netherlands' central bank (DNB) said on Wednesday (9 February) it deeply regretted the important role many of its early directors played in the 19th-century slave trade, as shown by an independent investigation into the bank's early years.
Coalition against EU debt rule reform shows cracks
Eight EU countries known as “the alliance of responsibility" who spoke out in favour of an early return to strict debt rules in a position paper in September 2021 are being pushed towards compromise with even Germany adopting a more conciliatory tone. EURACTIV Germany reports.
France opens access to quantum computing to researchers, start-ups
The French government launched a new programme to link quantum machines and supercomputers on Tuesday (4 January). The resources will be made available to researchers and companies to ensure France is up to speed with the technological revolutions to come.
UK says COVID surge ‘extremely difficult’ as Omicron grips Europe
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Monday (20 December) he would tighten coronavirus curbs to slow the spread of the Omicron variant if needed, after the Netherlands began a fourth lockdown and as other European nations consider Christmas restrictions.
The Netherlands publishes non-paper on upcoming Data Act
A non-paper pressing for data sharing provisions, interoperability requirements, and data access for the public sector in the European Commissions Data Act proposal was circulated by the Dutch government on Friday (30 September). The act is expected to be formally presented by the end of 2021.
In about-turn, Dutch, Germany announce freeze on deportations to Afghanistan
The Netherlands and Germany on Wednesday abruptly reversed course and said they would not for the time being deport Afghan citizens who are seeking asylum, given the rapidly escalating conflict in their homeland.
Energy Charter Treaty strikes again as Uniper sues Netherlands over coal phase-out
The energy company, Uniper, intends to file a claim against the Dutch government over its coal phase-out – the second case this year against the plan under the Energy Charter Treaty.
The Coronavirus exposes the Netherlands as a tax haven – again
Governments miss out on billions of tax revenues annually as the result of tax havens such as The Netherlands. The Coronavirus pandemic tellingly shows how such tax havens undermine public policy and cohesion within the EU, argues Boris Kowalski.
Germany’s RWE uses Energy Charter Treaty to challenge Dutch coal phase-out
German energy giant RWE has used the Energy Charter Treaty to claim compensation from the Netherlands over its planned phase-out of coal from the country’s electricity mix by 2030.
Moscow withdraws from MH17 talks with Netherlands, Australia
Russia said Thursday (15 October) it would withdraw from consultations with the Netherlands and Australia over the MH17 flight shot down over Ukraine in 2014, complaining of "vicious" attempts to pin blame on Moscow.
Gas grid operators unveil plan for European hydrogen infrastructure ‘backbone’
A group of eleven European gas infrastructure companies from nine EU member states presented on Friday (17 July) a plan to create a dedicated hydrogen pipeline network of almost 23,000 km by 2040, to be used in parallel to the natural gas grid.
Vestager hails KLM’s ‘very good’ €3.4bn bailout
The European Commission has approved the Dutch government’s €3.4 billion support package for national airline KLM, despite criticism levelled at conditions linked to pay cuts.
Dutch pin hopes on ‘hydrogen valley’ to revive declining gas region
Near-silent buses shift around in a residential neighbourhood in the province of Groningen, home to one of the greenest industrial areas in the world. We’re in 2026 and the Netherlands gives the world a preview of what a “hydrogen economy” could look like.
Dutch do Danish deal to hit clean power target
The Netherlands agreed on Friday (19 June) to pay Denmark €100 million as part of an arrangement that will allow the Dutch government to declare at least 8 TWh of Danish surplus renewable power on its books, in an effort to meet its EU target.
Germany still hesitating to link stimulus packages with climate targets
France, the Netherlands and Austria want to put environmentally friendly conditions on aid for corporations. In Germany, companies themselves are calling for a climate stimulus package, yet Economy Minister Peter Altmaier is hesitating. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Dutch spell out green ideas for EU recovery fund
The Netherlands has floated proposals to ensure a green recovery from the COVID-19 crisis, suggesting an “exclusion list” of economic activities like nuclear power, which the Dutch believe should be banned from receiving EU funds.
Netherlands denies blocking Sassoli from coronavirus talks
The Netherlands has never said that European Parliament President David Sassoli should be excluded from talks on the EU's response to the coronavirus crisis, a Dutch spokesperson told EURACTIV.com following a report in Spanish newspaper El Pais.
Netherlands, Austria push for tougher conditions for corona-loans
The Hague and Vienna are insisting on including stricter conditionality attached to loans for coronavirus-hit countries, toughening up the formula proposed by the eurozone’s bailout fund (ESM) and seen by EURACTIV.com.
Dutch test hydrogen train as EU alliance set to launch
The Netherlands wrapped up testing on its first foray into hydrogen train technology at the weekend, as the European Commission readies a strategy for the clean fuel that will debut on Tuesday (10 March).
Fossil fuel firms team up on large-scale hydrogen
Oil and gas company Royal Dutch Shell and Dutch gas company Gasunie plan to build a massive green hydrogen plant in the northern Netherlands in the next decade, the companies said on Thursday (27 February), to cut emissions.
Eurostar launches direct Dutch link, targets short-haul flights
Cross-Channel rail link Eurostar will operate a return London-Amsterdam service from April, the company announced on Tuesday (4 February), as it aims to up its game against short-haul plane travel. Eurostar has operated a one-way service to Amsterdam from the...