Environment/sustainability

The Netherlands is facing continued drought, with little rain forecast for the rest of August and the national rainfall deficit expected to exceed 300 millimetres. Dry conditions are also affecting neighbouring countries, prompting measures to manage water shortages and transport disruptions.

Firefighters expect to work all week to put out the fire in the Boschhuizerbergen nature reserve. Crews are watching smouldering spots and keeping stop lines wet to prevent new outbreaks. The safety region says it may never determine the cause.

Train services between Boxmeer and Venray restarted on Monday after several days of disruption caused by a wildfire. Arriva stopped trains twice last week as the fire intensified and firefighters worked in the area. Buses helped travellers while the route remained closed.

Temperatures across the Netherlands are expected to surge later this week, with forecasts predicting highs of up to 35 degrees Celsius. Weather service Weeronline warns that eastern and south-eastern regions could experience a fifth regional heatwave this summer. The heat will follow a brief cool period early in the week before warm air returns on Wednesday.

Consumer spending in the Netherlands dropped by four per cent during June's severe heatwave as people chose to stay indoors. Data from ABN AMRO shows that while rural residents reduced their travel and overall spending, city dwellers continued to spend money at local venues. Supermarkets remained an exception to the trend, seeing increased sales nationwide despite the extreme weather.

Police cleared dozens of Extinction Rebellion activists from a major highway in The Hague on Saturday afternoon following a protest over government climate policy. A total of 45 people were arrested during the demonstration, with one man remaining in custody after allegedly biting an officer. Traffic was able to resume shortly after officers removed the protesters from the roadway.

Researchers argue that subsidizing electric lease cars is a cost‑effective way to protect low‑income households from transport poverty, offering a structural alternative to broad fuel tax cuts.

ACM has ruled that energy suppliers cannot raise fixed gas prices when new CO₂ and green‑gas rules take effect. Several companies have already removed clauses that would have allowed such increases.