publications | Council for the Environment and Infrastructure

Recent publications

9th of July 2024

Meaningful government

How can central government ensure that decision-making promotes 'wellbeing', in other words all factors that determine wellbeing?

26th of June 2024

Advisory report

Photo: ANP /Hollandse Hoogte - Peter Hilz

Judging the Right Balance

Is it the legislature, the administration, or the courts that determine policy on the environment? Various court cases on environmental issues show that the task of safeguarding the rule of law is becoming too one-sidedly vested in the courts.

Work Programme

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

Work programme 2024–2025

The Council draws up an annual work programme that is adopted by the Ministers of Infrastructure and Water Management, Economic Affairs, Housing and Spatial Planning, Climate Policy and Green Growth , Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature, and the Interior and Kingdom Relations

29th of February 2024

Advisory report

Two construction workers are renovating the foundations in a house.

Photo: ANP/ Wilbert Bijzitter

Firm Foundations

Throughout the Netherlands, many buildings have damage to their foundations. However, the lack of precise information for each building means that the problem has long failed to be tackled.

19 December 2023

Advisory report

Two construction workers on a construction site

Photo: ANP / Robin Utrecht

Bridging the Implementation Gap

The Netherlands faces major challenges in the physical living environment, such as building large numbers of homes or dealing with the consequences of a changing climate. Some of these challenges have been ongoing for decades, and they are becoming increasingly urgent.

24 November 2023

Advisory report

Photo: Robin Utrecht / ANP

Phasing Out the Throw-Away Society

The Dutch government must embark on policies aimed at phasing out the throw-away society, which stands in the way of the transition to a sustainable and circular economy. This requires that the government be active, coordinate matters, and set a good example.

31 October 2023

Advisory report

Photo: Piet Gispen Photography

Working together

Business parks offer crucial opportunities to make businesses and society more sustainable. To capitalise on these opportunities, the government needs to set clear goals and support business owners.

11 May 2023

Advisory report

Children playing in and around the water, with newly built houses in the background

Photo: Tineke Dijkstra

Good Water, Good Policy

The Netherlands is required to meet the WFD standards by 2027. What government policy is needed to achieve the WFD objectives as quickly as possible and then consolidate the objectives achieved?