The Netherlands has integrated SDG implementation into the regular policy cycle based on the present Coalition Agreement (2017-2021). Specific mechanisms are set up for coordinating SDG action and measuring and reporting on SDG progress. An action plan (in Dutch) to implement the SDGs was sent to Parliament in September 2016. The plan outlines responsibilities of government and stakeholders. It focuses on mobilizing inclusive action, stimulating partner initiatives and initiated an annual reporting process.

A report outlining national SDG progress is submitted to Parliament annually. In May 2021, the fifth and most recent report (in English) on SDG progress was presented as part of the annual policy and budget accountability process towards parliament.

The Netherlands has launched various programs to work towards a sustainable and inclusive future. Action plans describe steps to take and goals for relevant stakeholders.

• In 2016, a government-wide programme was launched with a goal for the Dutch economy to be completely circular by 2050. A 50% reduction in raw materials consumption must be achieved by 2030.
• In 2019, the National Climate Agreement was concluded, setting The Netherlands on a track for a 95% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
• The Dutch action plan to support the transition to circular agriculture was presented in 2019. The plan entails a shift towards improving the efficiency of resources used in agriculture and producing food in harmony with nature.
• A National Prevention Agreement was concluded in 2018 to tackle smoking, problematic alcohol consumption and overweight.
• In 2019, a new national strategy (in Dutch) was launched for long term, sustainable economic growth, with the SDGs as intermediate goal posts for 2030.

Since 2016 the Dutch National Statistical Office (CBS) publishes an annual report on the SDGs in the Netherlands. Starting from 2019 the Dutch national SDG reporting process has been integrated into the annual Monitor of Well-being and SDGs, which was the outcome of a process led by a Parliamentary committee to establish indicators for wellbeing comprising the social, economic and environmental dimensions.

Monitor of Well-being & the SDGs 2021.

Active cooperation takes place between governments at the national as well as at the regional and local level. The Association of Dutch Municipalities (VNG), Dutch provinces and the Dutch Water Management Boards all participate in the annual progress report to Parliament.

The VNG also launched a campaign called Global Goals municipalities to motivate municipalities to contribute to the SDGs locally. Furthermore, they are providing tips and tools to implement the SDGs in local policies and budgets.

EU linkages

The Netherlands participates in the EU Working Party on the 2030 Agenda.

The National SDG Coordinator heads an inter-ministerial working group of SDG focal points to support integration of the SDGs into relevant policies and stimulate government action. The network also prepares the annual SDG progress report, addresses challenges and shares best practices. An annual meeting at DG or Director level serves to provide guidance on SDG-activities based on the progress report.

Since 2019, the national assessment framework for new laws and policies (IAK) is ‘SDG-proof’. This change requests law- and policymakers to assess the effects of their legislation on the SDGs. Additionally, quality checks on the effects of legislation on developing countries and gender equality have been added to the framework. These adjustments will create more transparency on the contributions of new laws and policies to achieving the SDGs.

The Netherlands Court of Audit concluded in a 2017 study (in Dutch) that the Dutch government has made a “swift and well-organized start to achieving the SDGs”.

A report outlining national SDG progress is submitted to Parliament annually. Six umbrella organizations representing the private sector, knowledge institutions, NGOs, local governments, youth and The Netherland Institute for Human Rights each contributed a chapter to the report. Each stakeholder writes a part of the report and describes the current accomplishments and challenges of the SDGs in their focus area.

Regularly, The Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (PBL) publishes reports on various sustainability issues with an environmental focus. Recent examples are

• The cost of achieving climate targets and the sources of uncertainty (March 2020);
• Emissions: world has four times the work or one-third of the time (March 2020);
• Sustainable Development Goals in the Netherlands: Building blocks for Environmental policy for 2030 (2016).

The Dutch National Statistical Office (CBS) publishes an annual report on the SDGs in the Netherlands. In 2016, the CBS was the first national statistical office in the world to provide a statistical measurement on SDG indicators. The second statistical report was published in March 2018. Between the two reports, the CBS increased data coverage from 37% of SDG indicators to 51% of indicators.

Starting from 2019 the Dutch national SDG reporting process has been integrated into the annual Monitor of Well-being and SDGs, which was the outcome of a process led by a Parliamentary committee to establish indicators for wellbeing comprising the social, economic and environmental dimensions.

The Netherlands works closely with stakeholders to promote SDG implementation in partnership. SDG Nederland is a growing multi-stakeholder platform with over 700 participating Dutch companies, NGOs, knowledge institutions and philanthropists having declared their intention to contribute to the SDGs in partnership. The SDG Community is an online community of active stakeholders across sectors where partners can create profiles and showcase their work on the SDGs.

SDG Nederland organizes an annual SDG Action Day to bring together stakeholders and foster cooperation. The Action Day usually takes place in SDG House in Amsterdam, the first of its kind. 

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