2026 Amendment

Netherlands Framework Law on Climate Change 

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Laws and Policies

CCLW

CCLW national policies

Climate Act adopted by the Senate

Climate Act

law passed

Amendment

The Climate Act (Klimaatwet) sets legally binding greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets for the Netherlands. The Climate Act is driven by international agreements, e.g. the Paris climate agreement, and research, e.g. IPCC. In 2023 the emissions reduction targets were sharpened to meet new European emission targets and regulation. Specifically, it mandates the government to achieve climate neutrality in 2050, and achieve carbon neutrality in the electricity sector by 2050. It also requires the government to reduce its emissions in 2030 by 55% compared to 1990 levels. The law contains provisions for developing 3 policy instruments:
<ol>
<li>Climate Plan (Klimaatplan): which sets out the components of climate policy for a 10-year period, with the first being adopted in 2019 and covering the period 2021-2030</li>
<li>The biennial Progress Report (Voortgangsrapportage): focused on measuring progress</li>
<li>Climate Memorandum (Klimaatnota): a yearly issued Climate Memorandum in which the government accounts for climate policy, reflects on the past year’s progress, and compares this with the (European and national) targets for 2030</li>
</ol>
In the Climate Act the government, businesses, and civil society organisations have jointly agreed on the measures that are necessary in the next 10 years, with different sectors having set their own targets to jointly reach the emission reduction targets. Some cross-sector measurements have also been agreed upon, such as the need for knowledge and innovation for the transition to a more sustainable Netherlands, the impact on the labour market, and the financing of sustainability projects.
On 1st January 2026, new amendments to the Climate Act entered into force, which revised Article 4 of the original law to remove provision Article 4.2 ("Every two years after the adoption of the climate plan, a report shall be submitted on the progress of its implementation and, if this warrants it in light of the objectives of this Act, measures shall be taken."). The amendment also changes the title of Chapter 4 to Advice and Consultation and creates a Scientific Climate Council in Article 8, as follows:
"Article 8
1. There is a Scientific Climate Council.
2. The Scientific Climate Council consists of a chairperson and at moment nine other members.
3. The Scientific Climate Council is tasked with advising the Government and both Houses of the States General on the climate policy to be pursued. In doing so, the Scientific Climate Council issues at least one advisory opinion in preparation for the climate plan referred to in Article 3."

Climate Act (Klimaatwet)

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An aim to achieve a quantifiable outcome within a given time-frame, set by an institution such as a national government.

Policy instruments are techniques or tools used by governing authorities to promote certain policies in order to achieve predetermined goals. Put simply, instruments are how a government tries to achieve its goals, with this taxonomy being focused on national policy instruments.

Risk is the potential for adverse consequences resulting from the dynamic interplay between (climate-related) hazards, exposure, and vulnerability of affected human or ecological systems.

Groups  of people who are adversely affected by climate change or the response to it

A set of principles, processes, and practices that build economic and political power to shift from an extractive economy to a regenerative economy.

Renewable energy means all forms of energy produced from renewable sources in a sustainable manner.

Fossil fuel is a generic term for non-renewable energy sources such as coal, fossil gas, and oil (including crude oil, and petroleum products), that can be used for electricity and heat generation. Fossil fuels are hydrocarbons formed from pressurised and heated organic material buried over millions of years.

Molecules in the atmosphere that play a key role in the greenhouse effect by trapping heat radiating from Earth’s surface.

Area of the economy in which actors engage in identical or related activities.

In human systems, the process of adjustment to actual or expected climate change and its effects, in order to moderate harm, increase resilience or exploit beneficial opportunities. In natural systems, the process of adjustment to actual climate change and its effects; human intervention may facilitate adjustment to expected climate change and its effects.

The management and allocation of funds, assets and investments to meet various objectives

The activities of industries involved in the production, distribution, and sale of energy, including electricity, gas, and renewables.

A long-lived, colourless gas, chiefly emitted from fossil fuel combustion, deforestation and cement production.

Slow onset events evolve gradually from incremental changes over many years or from increased frequency or intensity of recurring events. As defined in the Cancun Adaptation Framework (2010), slow onset events include risks and impacts from rising temperatures, desertification, biodiversity loss, land and forest degradation, glacial retreat, ocean acidification, sea level rise, and salinization.

A target to reduce the prevalence of a greenhouse gas over a specific time frame

A commitment to balance GHG emissions with removal by a certain point in time, effectively reducing the net emissions to zero

The release of heat-trapping gases, primarily from human activities such as burning fossil fuels, agriculture and industry.

This sector includes firms and individuals offering specialised expertise in fields such as law, accounting, consulting, science and engineering.

2026 Amendment

Target

Risk

Renewable energy

Greenhouse gas

Economic sector