Environment/sustainability

The Dutch parliament has voted to raise the minimum age for legal firework organisers from 16 to 18 years old. This decision comes as the country prepares for a broader ban on consumer fireworks during the next New Year celebrations. Additionally, new guidelines will encourage local councils to keep approved displays away from wildlife habitats to protect nature.

Oak processionary caterpillars have been spotted earlier than ever this spring, breaking the previous record by a full week. Experts warn that warm March weather is accelerating their development, raising the risk of irritation caused by their stinging hairs.

Eindhoven has launched a new sustainable facility to wash reusable cups for businesses and events. The project creates local jobs for people who need support while helping the city reduce its plastic waste.

A new study from ING reveals that many Dutch homeowners are hesitant to invest in green energy due to confusing government regulations. While many want to reduce their bills and help the climate, high costs and the end of certain subsidies remain significant hurdles.

ASML has officially broken ground on its new campus at the Brainport Industries Campus North following a rapid approval process. The project will create up to 20,000 jobs and includes significant investments in local infrastructure and ecological protection.

Eindhoven is set to transform the Markt from an outdated, stony square into a green and accessible meeting place. The city council has approved the preliminary design, which marks the final stage of the city centre's major red-brick street renovation.

The Dutch government is taking the unprecedented step of tapping into emergency electricity reserves to prevent a total freeze on new power connections in the Flevopolder, Utrecht, and Gelderland regions. State Secretary Jo-Annes de Bat announced that existing cables will be pushed to heavier loads to accommodate new homes and businesses, a move he admits significantly increases the risk of power cuts and system failures. While high-voltage operator TenneT must still assess if these high-risk measures are enough to solve the "exceptional" congestion in the central Netherlands, the government has declared there are "no taboos" in its effort to keep the grid open, even if the solutions prove painful or expensive.

Eindhoven has opened a new "bicycle bank" to provide 500 refurbished bikes a year to residents on low incomes. The project combines sustainable transport with social welfare by offering affordable mobility and mechanical training placements for volunteers.