The District Court of The Hague has ruled that the Netherlands’ current climate policy is insufficient and violates the human rights of residents of Bonaire. In a case brought by eight Bonaire citizens together with Greenpeace, the State has been ordered to set new, binding climate targets and to take specific protective measures for the island.
The court ruled that within 18 months the Netherlands must establish stricter climate goals for the entire economy. In addition, a climate protection plan for Bonaire must be developed and implemented by 2030 to address the impacts of climate change, including extreme heat and rising sea levels. According to the court, the unequal level of protection compared to the European Netherlands amounts to discrimination and a violation of human rights.
Greenpeace called the ruling historic, while the claimants described it as a turning point and stressed the need for concrete action.