Netherlands Government Policy on Biodiversity

Biodiversity is vital!

Biodiversity is under serious threat from global climate change, increased consumption, pollution, the introduction of exotic species and the overexploitation of natural areas and natural resources. Many species of plants and animals are disappearing and ecosystems are under threat. Clean air and water, fertile soil and a stable climate are no longer guaranteed. This affects people in poor countries, who often depend directly on forest land and its resources, but it also affects us.

Biodiversity loss and the depletion of natural resources ultimately threaten everyone’s survival.

In its Policy programme for 2008-2011, the Dutch government has chosen five priorities in its policy on biodiversity to improve policy coherence and closer collaboration between ministries and other stakeholders. It has taken steps to develop an effective national and international policy. But this is not solely a government responsibility. This crucial problem can only be addressed through close cooperation between the government, citizens, companies and non-governmental organisations. More on the general aspects of the Policy Programme can be found in Biodiversity works! This section is an introduction to the new Policy Programme on Biodiversity for the Netherlands as well as for international interventions. The specific priorities of the Policy Programme are highlighted in the section on Biodiversity Priorities for the Netherlands from 2008 till 2011. Lastly, a summary of the earlier policy on International Biodiversity (2002-2006) can be found in the section on BBI (Policy Implementation Programme on International Biodiversity of the Netherlands from 2002 till 2006).

Texts in this section on Biodiversity policy are taken from the Policy documents "Biodiversity works, for nature, for people, forever!" and the BBI Policy documents (references can be found in these pages). The texts are not complete but focus on context and implementation. For a complete picture of the policy programme we refer to the Dutch version of the Biodiversity Policy Programme.