How are the Dutch doing in terms of sustainable development?

The Dutch statistics agency, Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek, just published a survey that looks into how the Netherlands is doing in terms of its implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In September of 2015, the United Nations adopted a set of 17 goals to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all. Paraphrasing the United Nations: “Over the next fifteen years, with these new goals that universally apply to all, countries will mobilize efforts to end all forms of poverty, fight inequalities and tackle climate change, while ensuring that no one is left behind”. The goals are part of a new sustainable development agenda that aims to help focus policy of government, the private sector and civil society the world over.

Performing well
The Dutch are performing well in some areas. When compared to other European countries, the Netherlands stand out in terms of the state of its post-crisis economy, its citizens’ confidence in the rule of law as well as its government institutions, and in terms of the lifelong learning that an increasing number of Dutchmen are committed to.

Nonetheless, there is room for improvement. The Dutch appear to be lagging behind in terms of climate protection, renewable energy consumption, as well as economic and social equality. The Dutch greenhouse gas emission rate per capita is high when compared to other European countries. Renewable energy use is still minor: barely 6% of total energy consumption in 2015. And, last but not least, healthy life expectancy of Dutch women is relatively low.

Triggering a productive debate
Hugo Von Meijenfeldt, coordinator of the implementation of the global goals at the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, hopes that the publication will trigger a productive debate about Dutch progress on sustainable development. He hopes that a wide variety of actors will have their say: government agencies, as well as knowledge institutes, the private sector, and civil society at large.

“The private sector is increasingly focused on incorporating the sustainable development goals. Companies are finding ways to express them in their company policies,” says Von Meijenfeldt. He is excited about this prospect. “Anything is possible. These numbers should inspire us, all of us, to move forward and to keep going,” he says.

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