Environment and Planning - Page 2

The Heat Act and its associated regulations form the legal framework for the production, distribution, and delivery of heat in the Netherlands. Since the introduction of the first Heat Act in 2014 and its subsequent modernization with “Heat Act 2.0” as of January 1, 2021, public and private heat companies…

In the Netherlands, the government has a duty of care to protect citizens, businesses, and the environment against the adverse effects of spatial planning and environmental management measures. When government bodies—including municipalities, provinces, water authorities, Rijkswaterstaat, and their officials or regulators—fail to meet this duty, private parties and civil society…

The Open Government Act (WOO), which came into effect on May 1, 2022, is the successor to the Dutch Freedom of Information Act (Wob). The WOO aims to foster a culture of openness and transparency across all levels of government in the Netherlands. In the context of environmental and spatial…

Expropriation and the obligation to tolerate are essential instruments within spatial and environmental policy in the Netherlands, enabling societal and infrastructural projects that might otherwise be hindered by objections from landowners or local residents. The constitutional basis for expropriation is found in Article 14 of the Dutch Constitution, further developed…

The enforcement of environmental and spatial planning regulations in the Netherlands is essential to ensure sustainable development, the protection of natural values, and the careful management of soil and water quality. The responsibility for enforcement primarily lies with regulators such as the Environmental Protection Agency, the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency…

In the Netherlands, energy law forms a complex web of national legislation, EU directives, and international treaties aimed at the production, distribution, and consumption of energy sources, while simultaneously ensuring environmental impact and spatial interests. This legal field includes the Electricity Act, Gas Act, the General Environmental Law Act (Wabo),…

In the Dutch practice of spatial planning and environmental management, declarations of intent, settlement agreements, and anterior agreements play a crucial role in making future developments transparent and predictable. These documents establish mutual expectations between governments, market participants, and sometimes civil society organizations before a formal permit procedure or zoning…

In the context of decisions, legislation, and policies related to environmental and spatial planning in the Netherlands, due diligence and transparency are of crucial importance. Clients—from individuals to international investors—rely on a stable and reliable government to implement projects without unforeseen risks. However, when government bodies or affiliated institutions are…