Environment/sustainability

Expected rain over the coming weeks will offer brief relief from drought conditions in the Netherlands. However, full recovery of water levels and groundwater reserves will take several months of sustained rainfall. While some safety regions have lowered their wildfire threat levels, others remain at Phase 2 due to ongoing dry conditions.

Fire Service Netherlands will work more closely with farmers as drought and high temperatures increase the risk of wildfires. The organisation and trade association...

Electric bus maker Ebusco has warned that its ongoing financial strain creates uncertainty over its ability to continue operating. The company recently lost a major contract in Germany after failing to deliver vehicles on schedule.

The OpenBaar Ministerie (OM) is going to criminally prosecute steel company Tata Steel. According to the OM, the company from Velsen-Noord intentionally released harmful substances into the air, among other things.

Organisers of a farmers' protest in Zeeland modified their demonstration following a fatal road collision in North Brabant, holding a minute's silence and speeding up their procession along the N59 to reduce traffic risks. Several hundred farmers in tractor convoys took to the popular tourist route to protest against government nitrogen regulations and express solidarity with five Brabant poultry farms facing the revocation of their environmental permits, warning that escalating red tape threatens the future of agricultural businesses.

Air traffic across Sicily faces prolonged disruption as Mount Etna’s ongoing eruption has forced the closure of Catania Airport—the island's main hub—until early Saturday. The sudden shutdown during peak summer holiday travel has led to flight cancellations, including services from Amsterdam Schiphol, while airlines struggle to divert passengers to Palermo's smaller-capacity airport via coach transfers.

Despite enduring severe drought, the Netherlands has stopped short of declaring an official national crisis, with the Water Shortage Management Team confirming that immediate large-scale restrictions are not yet necessary. Although the country remains under its second-highest drought alert level, Infrastructure and Water Management Minister Vincent Karremans stressed that central government control will only be invoked if major "societal disruption"—such as drinking water or power failures—occurs. With upcoming rainfall expected to offer minimal relief to parched soils, authorities are prioritising structural flood defences over commercial interests, enforcing tough restrictions on farming, industry, and shipping to protect vulnerable, drought-cracked dikes from collapsing.

Dry conditions have prompted a groundwater ban near several protected nature areas in southeastern Drenthe. Water authorities say the measure is needed to prevent lasting damage as rainfall shortages continue to worsen, while neighbouring regions are also introducing restrictions.