On Monday 1 December, the Dutch Citizens’ Climate Assembly formally presented its recommendations to the outgoing Prime Minister, the Minister for Climate and Green Growth, the Minister of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, and the Vice-President of the House of Representatives. Also present were various members of the House of Representatives and more than 150 representatives from business, society, science and administration, as well as more than 120 participants from the Citizens' Assembly itself.
The report includes 23 proposals, 13 of which received more than 75% support. The proposals range from a six-year warranty on electronics to a national strategy for healthy food, from reducing air travel to encouraging working from home and cycling. A striking number of measures touch on systemic change: revising spatial planning, pricing polluting products, and a greater role for the government in shaping long-term policy.
The report sends a clear message: citizens want more clarity and action from government and ongoing dialogue with society.
In the afterword, the independent chair of the assembly Nienke Meijer describes the assembly as “a magical journey,” celebrating the diversity of perspectives within the assembly. “You don't have to agree with each other to be able to work well together,” she writes. “On the contrary, when you create space for it in the right way, difference can become your greatest strength.”
The government has promised to respond to the assembly’s proposals within six months, indicating which recommendations it will adopt, which it will not, and why. The Parliament will then debate the Citizens' Assembly's recommendations and the government's response. At a final meeting, which will take place no later than December 2026, the government will discuss with the Parliament and the Citizens' Assembly how the recommendations have been taken forward.
The Citizens' Assembly will continue working for another year to monitor how the government and parliament respond to their recommendations and to discuss their proposals with the business community, social organisations and society at large.
The Assembly is inviting everyone in the Netherlands to support the voice of the climate assembly by signing its online declaration of support.
On 26 February, KNOCA will hold a learning call on the Dutch Citizens’ Climate Assembly. Register now!
Download the Report of the Dutch Citizens’ Climate Assembly on its website.
