Environment/sustainability

Driven by a recovery in German steel production and high natural gas prices, coal throughput at the Port of Rotterdam rose by 15.3 per cent in the first nine months of the year. While low river levels hindered inland transport for iron ore and scrap metal, Europe's largest port recorded modest overall growth of 0.9 per cent to 323.2 million tonnes, further supported by a 31.9 per cent surge in refined oil exports amid ongoing energy market disruptions.

Dutch petrol prices are sitting just 0.2 euro cents off their record high. If recent increases continue, petrol could become more expensive than ever...

The BBB says it will not support the cabinet’s budget in the Senate unless changes are made to its nitrogen policy. The party’s stance could be significant because of its position in the upper house, where government support is not guaranteed.

September 2026 was one of the warmest Septembers ever recorded in the Netherlands, driven by unusually high temperatures at the end of the month. Despite slightly below-average rainfall, the month was not exceptionally dry, although drought conditions remained in place.

The recommended price of petrol in the Netherlands reached a new record high of €2.727 per litre on Friday, driven by Middle East tension and surging oil markets. While diesel eased slightly to €2.794 per litre, analysts warn EU prices could face further strain if the US introduces a reported diesel export ban. Meanwhile, Germany’s decision to launch a 17-cent fuel subsidy threatens to trigger new cross-border losses for Dutch petrol station owners near the border.

Trade association Energie-Nederland has welcomed Climate Minister Stientje van Veldhoven’s plans to transfer responsibility for the Dutch gas supply from the state to market suppliers, while lobbying Brussels to scrap mandatory EU filling targets. Energie-Nederland Chair Femke Brenninkmeijer noted that the shift—complemented by a proposed 5 TWh emergency buffer—strikes a better balance between security of supply and affordability. Despite national storage sitting at a below-average 58 per cent capacity following a harsh winter and geopolitical price spikes, the industry group does not anticipate an acute supply shortage this coming winter.

State Secretary Jo-Annes de Bat says flexible electricity consumption should become the norm in the Netherlands as growing grid congestion delays new connections and strains the country's power infrastructure.

Dry weather is set to return across the Netherlands following a recent period of rain, weather service Weeronline reports. Rain will largely cease from...