Council for the Environment and Infrastructure

The Council for the Environment and Infrastructure (Rli) is the primary strategic advisory board for the Dutch government and parliament in matters relating to the physical environment and infrastructure.

Each year the Council produces a Work Programme, which is subject to the approval of six Dutch ministries with responsibilities for the human environment.

Recent items

Straight to our advisory reports

Work Programme 2026-2027

Publication

illustration of cogwheels that interlock with drawings of agriculture, infrastructure, housing, consultation, transport, energy

28 January 2026

Every year, the Council for the Environment and Infrastructure (Rli) draws up a work programme that is adopted by the Ministers of Infrastructure and Water Management (IenW), Economic Affairs (EZ), Climate Policy and Green Growth (KGG), Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature (LVVN), Housing and Spatial Planning (VRO) and the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK).

Our nature targets: why and how?

In preparation

Photo: Rob Poelenjee / Mediatheek Rijksoverheid

Expected in the autumn of 2026

Despite strong support for nature conservation in the Netherlands, there is a lack of urgency when it comes to nature policy. What is needed to give a new impetus to how we as a society take care of our natural environment?

Building for the Future

Publication

Image of the 'Klein Oers' eco-village construction site in Veldhoven. An example of joint project commissioning in which the future residents themselves help to build their sustainable housing project

Photo: Thomas Dillon Peynado

19th of June 2025

The government's ambition is to build 100,000 homes a year. The use of sustainable materials is essential to meet climate targets. Frontrunners are already building homes using sustainable materials. To get the entire construction chain on board, the government needs to provide stronger guidance.

Working together to do better

Publication

People working on infrastructure in Bonaire

Photo: ANP/Remko de Waal

13 june 2025

Bonaire, Sint-Eustatius and Saba are lagging behind with respect to the quality of their physical environment. A joint approach by the national government and public bodies is needed to achieve equal quality of the physical environment for all of the Netherlands.

Failure and Recovery

Publication

Photo: ANP / Hans van Rhoon

15th of May 2025

What will it take to solve major deadlocked problems within the living environment? What are the roles government, businesses, and communities need to play in this?

Land for sustainable choices in rural areas

In preparation

Photo: ANP / Marcel Berendsen

Expected february 5th 2026

Land for housing, energy, water storage, military purposes, agriculture and nature is largely sought in rural areas. But land is expensive and scarce, which can get in the way of making sustainable choices. What is the role of the government, in this respect?

Drinking water supply

In preparation

Photo: Mediatheek Rijksoverheid / Tineke Dijkstra

Expected in early 2026

We are increasingly facing (local) water shortages, and the demand for freshwater is growing. How can the supply of drinking water be made future-proof? What preconditions will that require for the Dutch water systems?

The government as a shareholder

In preparation

Woman looking across the trading floor at the Amsterdam Stock Exchange

Photo: ANP/ Hollandse Hoogte / Ramon van Flymen

Publication 9 October 2025

How can – and to what extent should – the government influence existing and possible new state-owned enterprises in view of the major challenges relating to the physical environment and infrastructure?