Long-term environmental policies (1990-2010) were developed in 1989 within the framework of the first National Environmental Policy Plan (NEPP1). The NEPP1, which was a response to the Brundtland-report and to a national environmental survey called ‘Concern for Tomorrow’, was the result of collaboration between several ministries (VROM, EZ, LNV and V&W). The central aim of the NEPP is ‘to maintain the carrying capacity of the environment in order to achieve sustainable development’. The document examines the interrelationship between environmental problems in various sectors and at various levels, and proposes integrated measures.

In 1993 and 1998 NEPP2 and NEPP3 were drafted which can be considered as supplements to the NEPP1. The NEPP2 especially provided supplementary measures in relation to energy conservation and mobility. It also mentioned activities to be undertaken in connection with the implementation of Agenda 21. The NEPP3 takes the year 2010 as its horizon. Centrepiece is the conviction that economic growth and less pressure on the natural environment can be simultaneously brought about through a mix of changes in production processes, pricing, taxes and government policies. NEPP3 looks forward to the developments expected in the coming years and is intended, together with other measures planned by the government, to make a major contribution to create the conditions in which consumers and industry can make sustainable choices.

The ambitious policy agenda of the Fourth Dutch National Environmental Policy Plan (NEPP4), drafted in October 2001, outlines strategies the Netherlands has chosen in order to resolve several long standing environmental problems. These include climate change, the loss of biodiversity, over-exploitation of natural resources, health risks caused by chemical substances, threats to external safety, and damage to the quality of the living environment. New problems resulting from technological innovations including problems around genetically modified organisms, nano technology and robotics are also on the new agenda. In addition, the NEPP4 presents future policy guidelines and looks at the most relevant areas where strong financial support will be necessary in the future.

The NEPP4 involves a strategic policy plan for the long term (up till 2030). Ambitions are high: the aim is the sustainable protection of at least 95% of all nature in the Netherlands, as well as to abolish all detrimental environmental effects on public health. To meet these ambitious goals, emissions of acid substances, fine particulate matter and volatile organic compounds will have to be reduced by 70-90%. The 95%-aim with respect to protection of natural areas requires a mix of generic and area-specific policies, with possible additional effect oriented measures. To deal with the effects of climate change, CO2 emissions will have to decrease by 30-50% within the following decades in Western Europe. This seems technologically feasible at relatively low costs. Main challenges are of political, institutional and social nature.

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