11th Nature Progress Report: Cooperation and Realism Central to Strengthening Dutch Nature

The Dutch government, provinces, and many partners including farmers collaborate intensively in various ways to develop, manage, and restore our nature and biodiversity. From creating new nature reserves to agricultural nature and landscape management and restoring areas to meet habitat and bird directive targets. The newly published 11th Nature Progress Report shows developments in efforts during 2024.

Progress of the Nature Pact

The goal of the Nature Pact (2013) is to establish at least 80,000 hectares of new nature by the end of 2027. In 2024, the provinces established 2,537 hectares of new nature. That is about 600 hectares more than the previous year. Since 2011, over 53,000 hectares of new nature have been realized in total.

As has become clear in recent years, the Nature Pact target will not be fully achieved. After 2027, a remaining task is expected, which according to current provincial estimates amounts to approximately 17,000 hectares. Provinces continue to commit themselves to realizing the National Nature Network (NNN) as soon as possible.

Agricultural Nature and Landscape Management

Agricultural Nature and Landscape Management (ANLb) also continues to grow. In 2024, the area increased by more than 5,000 hectares to a total of 122,238 hectares. More and more farmers are actively engaged in protecting meadow birds, biodiversity, water quality, and climate measures on agricultural land. This cabinet has given a significant extra boost to agricultural nature management, making it an important instrument for strengthening the relationship between agriculture, landscape, and nature.

Nature Quality and Restoration

The quality of nature remains a point of attention: most habitat types and many habitat and bird directive species are still in an unfavorable state, as shown by this years six-yearly report to the European Commission.

In addition to the Nature Pact, the national government and provinces have made funds available in the Nature Implementation Program to take measures to improve the status of habitat and bird directive species and habitat types. By the end of 2024, the provinces had completed about 39% of the agreed measures in the first phase. For the second phase, the national government made €1.35 billion available in 2024.

Continuing to Take Steps

With the Nature Program and the implementation of the Nature-Inclusive Agenda 2.0, the national government and provinces are taking further realistic steps towards a strong, resilient nature for the Netherlands – offering a future for people, plants, animals, and landscapes.

Jean Rummenie, State Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature: Together with provinces and other parties such as farmers, we continue to commit ourselves to nature. After all, we want to continue to benefit from pure drinking water, clean air, and raw materials that can provide sufficient food, and above all enjoy the beautiful nature in our country in the future.

Jelle Beemsterboer, chairman of the IPO Administrative Advisory Committee for Rural Areas: Provinces work every day to strengthen nature and deliver area-specific tailored solutions. The challenge is great, but we keep taking steps.