Photo: Traveler100 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 07 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Netherlands: Environment & Sustainability
How much pressure does a country put on the natural world?
Netherlands is placed 110th of 186 countries on environment & sustainability in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: CO₂ Emissions per Capita 6.297 (2024); Water Stress 14.91 (2023).
Share
Environment & Sustainability
110th
of 186 countries placed
Placed from 3 of 4 key statistics
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Netherlands on environment & sustainability — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
6.297
Fossil CO₂ (tonnes per person)
Lower is better
Netherlands: 6.297. Across the 210 countries in this edition, values run from 0.054 (DR Congo) to 41.27 (Qatar); the world median is 3.21.
- World median
- 3.21
- Best in Western Europe
- 3.301 Liechtenstein
- Land neighbours
- Belgium 7.28 · Germany 6.769
Key 2 of 4
Water Stress
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY 4.0
14.91
Freshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%)
Lower is better
Netherlands: 14.91. Across the 177 countries in this edition, values run from 0.03 (Republic of the Congo) to 3,851 (Kuwait); the world median is 10.
- World median
- 10
- Best in Western Europe
- 3.96 Luxembourg
- Land neighbours
- Belgium 52.83 · Germany 31.46
Key 3 of 4
Organic Agricultural Area
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC BY 4.0
5.06
Organic share of agricultural land (%)
Higher is better
Netherlands: 5.06. Across the 156 countries in this edition, values run from 0 (Afghanistan) to 86.38 (Samoa); the world median is 0.725.
- World median
- 0.725
- Best in Western Europe
- 30.44 Liechtenstein
- Land neighbours
- Belgium 7.43 · Germany 11.11
No reading
Ecological Footprint (global hectares per person)
Lower is better
Global Footprint Network publishes no 2025 figure for Netherlands, so the standing rests on the other keys.
Across the 126 countries in this edition, values run from 0.514 (Yemen) to 11.73 (Qatar); the world median is 2.296.
- World median
- 2.296
- Best in Western Europe
- 3.778 Germany
- Land neighbours
- Belgium 4.816 · Germany 3.778
02Over time
Which way Netherlands is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
CO₂ Emissions per Capita
Fossil CO₂ (tonnes per person) · lower is better
NetherlandsWorld median
Netherlands fell from 10.72 in 2000 to 6.297 in 2024; the world median went from 2.662 to 3.21.
Every year’s figures
Year Netherlands World median 2024 6.297 3.210 2023 6.468 3.145 2022 7.121 3.162 2021 7.890 3.087 2020 7.766 2.903 2019 8.709 3.273 2018 9.085 3.036 2017 9.373 3.049 2016 9.579 2.894 2015 9.584 2.846 2014 9.249 2.919 2013 9.720 2.779 2012 9.799 2.770 2011 10.050 2.748 2010 10.880 2.812 2009 10.215 2.799 2008 10.598 2.979 2007 10.467 2.593 2006 10.506 2.865 2005 10.818 2.885 2004 11.086 2.802 2003 11.008 2.918 2002 10.851 2.785 2001 10.966 2.726 2000 10.720 2.662 Water Stress
Freshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%) · lower is better
NetherlandsWorld median
Netherlands fell from 16.01 in 2000 to 14.91 in 2023; the world median went from 10.07 to 10.
Every year’s figures
Year Netherlands World median 2023 14.91 10.000 2022 16.66 10.190 2021 16.08 10.460 2020 16.80 10.460 2019 17.00 10.890 2018 16.37 10.460 2017 15.03 10.460 2016 15.23 10.460 2015 15.97 10.190 2014 18.02 10.460 2013 20.20 10.460 2012 20.35 10.460 2011 19.35 10.460 2010 20.75 10.710 2009 21.66 10.960 2008 20.33 10.815 2007 20.77 11.180 2006 21.35 10.430 2005 21.93 10.250 2004 20.68 10.715 2003 19.43 10.370 2002 18.18 10.180 2001 16.93 10.130 2000 16.01 10.070 Organic Agricultural Area
Organic share of agricultural land (%) · higher is better
NetherlandsWorld median
Netherlands rose from 2.52 in 2005 to 5.06 in 2024; the world median went from 0.345 to 0.725.
Every year’s figures
Year Netherlands World median 2024 5.06 0.725 2023 4.88 0.780 2022 4.44 0.740 2021 4.21 0.710 2020 3.95 0.665 2019 3.75 0.550 2018 3.51 0.490 2017 3.27 0.630 2016 3.01 0.545 2015 2.73 0.540 2014 2.46 0.470 2013 2.46 0.440 2012 2.63 0.480 2011 2.56 0.460 2010 2.45 0.330 2009 2.57 0.335 2008 2.61 0.290 2007 2.46 0.370 2006 2.52 0.305 2005 2.52 0.345
03In context
Netherlands beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 186 countries on environment & sustainability, never a place within the region.
Netherlands and the countries it borders
Standing among all 186; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | CO₂ Emissions per CapitaFossil CO₂ (tonnes per person) | Water StressFreshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%) | Organic Agricultural AreaOrganic share of agricultural land (%) | Ecological FootprintEcological Footprint (global hectares per person) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | 110th | 6.297 | 14.91 | 5.06 | — |
 Germany | =133rd | 6.769 | 31.46 | 11.11 | 3.778 |
 Belgium | 155th | 7.28 | 52.83 | 7.43 | 4.816 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Western Europe
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 186.
Placed either side on environment & sustainability
The countries immediately above and below Netherlands in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Netherlands is ahead of the world, and behind
47 more statistics filed under environment & sustainability, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median17
Statistics on which Netherlands does better than the middle country measured.
Forest Area within Legally Established Protected AreasFAO · 2025 · world median 18.1859.4818.18No real change since 2015
Netherlands: 59.48 · world median 18.18 · Forest within legally established protected areas, as a share of the country's 2015 forest area (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Wind and Solar Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 5.27945.215.279▲ Improved since 2014
Netherlands: 45.21 · world median 5.279 · Wind and solar (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 69.12; higher is better.
ND-GAIN Country IndexNotre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame · 2024 · world median 47.4464.447.44No real change since 2014
Netherlands: 64.4 · world median 47.44 · ND-GAIN Index (0–100, where 100 is best placed to adapt). Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 26.42 to 71.85; higher is better.
Ranked 21st of 190 by Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame.
Water-Use EfficiencyFAO · 2023 · world median 16.1110.8416.1▲ Improved since 2013
Netherlands: 110.84 · world median 16.1 · Value added per cubic metre of freshwater withdrawn (constant US$ per m³). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.38 to 1,378; higher is better.
World Energy Trilemma IndexWorld Energy Council · 2023 · world median 63.877.663.8No earlier reading
Netherlands: 77.6 · world median 63.8 · Trilemma score (0–100). World Energy Council, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 27.7 to 83.2; higher is better.
Ranked 14th of 99 by World Energy Council.
Children's Climate Risk IndexUNICEF · 2020 · world median 52.75No earlier reading
Netherlands: 2.7 · world median 5 · Children's Climate Risk Index (0–10, higher is more risk). UNICEF, 2021 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 1 to 8.7; lower is better.
Ranked 140th of 163 by UNICEF (1st = worst).
Climate Vulnerability (ND-GAIN)Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame · 2024 · world median 0.450.3710.45▼ Worsened since 2014
Netherlands: 0.371 · world median 0.45 · ND-GAIN Vulnerability (0–1, where 1 is the most vulnerable). Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.263 to 0.655; lower is better.
Ranked 43rd of 190 by Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame.
Planetary pressures-adjusted HDIUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.6780.740.678▼ Worsened since 2013
Netherlands: 0.74 · world median 0.678 · PHDI (0–1). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.276 to 0.827; higher is better.
Position 35th of 156 · derived.
Adjusted Net SavingsWorld Bank Group · 2021 · world median 8.38915.498.389▲ Improved since 2011
Netherlands: 15.49 · world median 8.389 · Adjusted net savings, including particulate emission damage (% of GNI). World Bank Group, 2021 edition, data for 2021.
Published values in that edition run from -81.62 to 32.18; higher is better.
Position 30th of 118 · derived.
PM2.5 Air Pollution ExposureAtmospheric Composition Analysis Group, Washington University in St. Louis · 2023 · world median 14.458.514.45▲ Improved since 2013
Netherlands: 8.5 · world median 14.45 · Population-weighted PM2.5 concentration (µg/m³). Atmospheric Composition Analysis Group, Washington University in St. Louis, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 2.5 to 68.2; lower is better.
Position 165th of 220 · derived, 1st = worst.
Progress Toward Productive and Sustainable Agriculture (SDG 2.4.1 Proxy)FAO · 2024 · world median 3.143.673.14▲ Improved since 2015
Netherlands: 3.67 · world median 3.14 · Current status score, from 1 (worst) to 5 (best), averaged over up to seven sub-indicators. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.67 to 4.57; higher is better.
Position 45th of 186 · derived.
Annual Forest Area Change RateFAO · 2025 · world median 00.120▲ Improved since 2015
Netherlands: 0.12 · world median 0 · Compound annual change in forest area over the interval ending that year (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -3.29 to 12.3; higher is better.
Carbon Intensity of ElectricityEmber · 2024 · world median 433.75250.77433.75▲ Improved since 2014
Netherlands: 250.77 · world median 433.75 · Carbon intensity (gCO₂e per kWh generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 23.73 to 1,306; lower is better.
Position 115th of 165 · derived, 1st = worst.
Agricultural Emissions IntensityFAO · 2023 · world median 1.5651.051.565No real change since 2013
Netherlands: 1.05 · world median 1.565 · Greenhouse gases from farming per value of agricultural output (kg CO₂eq per international dollar). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 28.2; lower is better.
Position 128th of 190 · derived, 1st = worst.
Renewable Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 32.0650.7432.06▲ Improved since 2014
Netherlands: 50.74 · world median 32.06 · Renewables (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Position 58th of 162 · derived.
Low-Carbon Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 37.3253.6637.32▲ Improved since 2014
Netherlands: 53.66 · world median 37.32 · Low-carbon sources (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Position 67th of 162 · derived.
Baseline Water Stress (Aqueduct)WRI · 2019 · world median 1.6631.5811.663No earlier reading
Netherlands: 1.581 · world median 1.663 · Baseline water stress score (0–5). World Resources Institute (WRI), 2023 edition, data for 2019.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 5; lower is better.
Behind the world median5
Statistics on which Netherlands does worse than the middle country measured.
World Risk IndexInstitute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict (IFHV), Ruhr University Bochum · 2025 · world median 4.174.334.17▼ Worsened since 2015
Netherlands: 4.33 · world median 4.17 · WorldRiskIndex score (0–100, where 100 is the most at risk). Institute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict (IFHV), Ruhr University Bochum, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.18 to 46.56; lower is better.
Position 93rd of 193 · derived, 1st = worst.
Energy Intensity of GDP (PPP)EIA · 2024 · world median 2.7383.0622.738▲ Improved since 2014
Netherlands: 3.062 · world median 2.738 · Energy use per dollar of GDP (thousand Btu per US$ at PPP). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.666 to 17.45; lower is better.
Municipal Solid Waste GenerationWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 0.9661.2890.966No earlier reading
Netherlands: 1.289 · world median 0.966 · Municipal solid waste generated (kg per person per day). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0.058 to 4.176; lower is better.
Position 63rd of 201 · derived, 1st = worst.
Coal Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 06.1060▲ Improved since 2014
Netherlands: 6.106 · world median 0 · Coal (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 98.25; lower is better.
Renewable Internal Freshwater Resources per CapitaFAO · 2022 · world median 2,528621.432,528No real change since 2012
Netherlands: 621.43 · world median 2,528 · Renewable internal freshwater (cubic metres per person). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 445,023; higher is better.
Position 149th of 181 · derived.
No better end25
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Population Living Below 5 m ElevationCenter for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN), Columbia University · 2015 · world median 2.95453.692.954No real change since 1990
Netherlands: 53.69 · world median 2.954 · Population living below 5 m elevation (% of total population). Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN), Columbia University, 2015 edition, data for 2015.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 78.48.
Solar Electricity Installed CapacityEIA · 2024 · world median 0.14424.050.144Moved since 2014
Netherlands: 24.05 · world median 0.144 · Solar generating capacity installed (gigawatts). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 886.66.
Livestock DensityFAO · 2023 · world median 0.5353.920.535Moved since 2013
Netherlands: 3.92 · world median 0.535 · Livestock units per hectare of agricultural land. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.02 to 43.97.
Position 11th of 188 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Environmentally Related Tax RevenueOECD · 2024 · world median 1.0752.3561.075No real change since 2014
Netherlands: 2.356 · world median 1.075 · Environmentally related tax revenue (% of GDP). OECD, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 3.346.
Operating Wind Power CapacityGlobal Energy Monitor · 2026 · world median 10012,022100No earlier reading
Netherlands: 12,022 · world median 100 · Wind farm capacity in operation (megawatts). Global Energy Monitor, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 542,758.
Agricultural Irrigated LandFAO · 2023 · world median 3.6621.583.66No earlier reading
Netherlands: 21.58 · world median 3.66 · Irrigated share of agricultural land (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.003 to 89.04.
Position 13th of 121 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Solar Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 3.04917.843.049Moved since 2014
Netherlands: 17.84 · world median 3.049 · Solar (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 50.
Cropland Nitrogen BalanceFAO · 2023 · world median 37.63157.6637.63Moved since 2013
Netherlands: 157.66 · world median 37.63 · Nitrogen surplus (+) or deficit (−) on cropland, kg per hectare. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from -555.52 to 1,199.
Fertilizer Consumption per HectareFAO · 2023 · world median 87.36238.0287.36Moved since 2013
Netherlands: 238.02 · world median 87.36 · Fertilizer consumption (kg per hectare of arable land). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 2,926.
Position 29th of 188 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Temperature Change on LandFAO · 2025 · world median 1.4742.1631.474Moved since 2015
Netherlands: 2.163 · world median 1.474 · Change in mean land-surface temperature against the country's own 1951–1980 average, °C. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.34 to 3.294.
Pesticide Use per HectareFAO · 2024 · world median 1.737.511.73Moved since 2014
Netherlands: 7.51 · world median 1.73 · Pesticide use (kg per hectare of cropland). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 37.72.
Position 37th of 178 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Fisheries and Aquaculture ProductionFAO · 2024 · world median 52,375330,10952,375Moved since 2014
Netherlands: 330,109 · world median 52,375 · Fish, crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic animals caught or farmed, tonnes (live weight). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 70,500,841.
Operating Coal Power CapacityGlobal Energy Monitor · 2026 · world median 5253,500525No earlier reading
Netherlands: 3,500 · world median 525 · Coal-fired capacity in operation (megawatts). Global Energy Monitor, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1,263,101.
Agricultural EmissionsFAO · 2023 · world median 8,63534,9508,635Moved since 2013
Netherlands: 34,950 · world median 8,635 · Farm-gate emissions (kt CO₂eq). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1,044,508.
Position 49th of 193 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Agricultural LandFAO · 2023 · world median 37.9653.5537.96No real change since 2013
Netherlands: 53.55 · world median 37.96 · Agricultural land (% of land area). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.445 to 86.48.
Position 54th of 209 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Consumption-Based CO₂ EmissionsGlobal Carbon Project · 2023 · world median 12.7940.9812.79Moved since 2013
Netherlands: 40.98 · world median 12.79 · Consumption-based fossil CO₂ (million tonnes of carbon). Global Carbon Project, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.882 to 2,963.
Meat Supply per PersonFAO · 2023 · world median 57.8371.5857.83Moved since 2013
Netherlands: 71.58 · world median 57.83 · Meat available as food (kg per person per year, carcass weight). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 3.49 to 156.95.
Methane EmissionsEDGAR · 2025 · world median 325.69601.43325.69Moved since 2015
Netherlands: 601.43 · world median 325.69 · Methane emissions (gigagrams of CH₄). European Commission, Joint Research Centre (EDGAR), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.048 to 51,093.
Tree Cover LossWorld Resources Institute — Global Forest Watch (data: University of Maryland) · 2025 · world median 3,775634.743,775Moved since 2015
Netherlands: 634.74 · world median 3,775 · Tree cover loss (hectares, where canopy cover exceeded 30% in 2000). World Resources Institute — Global Forest Watch (data: University of Maryland), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 6,225,187.
Land Under Cereal ProductionFAO · 2023 · world median 689,278186,050689,278No real change since 2013
Netherlands: 186,050 · world median 689,278 · Land under cereal production (hectares). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 103,715,108.
Position 123rd of 179 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Total Natural Resources Rents (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2021 · world median 1.7080.3411.708Moved since 2011
Netherlands: 0.341 · world median 1.708 · Natural resources rents (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2021 edition, data for 2021.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 61.03.
Position 135th of 180 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Arable Land per PersonFAO · 2023 · world median 0.1090.0560.109No real change since 2013
Netherlands: 0.056 · world median 0.109 · Arable land (hectares per person). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1.459.
Position 147th of 206 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Burned AreaGWIS · 2025 · world median 13,82421.4713,824Moved since 2015
Netherlands: 21.47 · world median 13,824 · Burned area (hectares). European Commission Joint Research Centre — Global Wildfire Information System (GWIS), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 50,562,035.
Forest AreaFAO · 2023 · world median 31.0811.0631.08No real change since 2013
Netherlands: 11.06 · world median 31.08 · Forest area (% of land area). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 94.45.
Position 160th of 210 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Water Withdrawal by SectorFAO · 2022 · world median 62.143.21962.14Moved since 2012
Netherlands: 3.219 · world median 62.14 · Freshwater withdrawn for agriculture (% of total). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 99.48.
Position 160th of 171 · derived, counted from the highest value.
No current reading for Netherlands
Ecological Footprint, Mangrove Area and Tropical Moist Forest Deforestation. Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Environment & Sustainability among Netherlands’s 16 topics
Environment & Sustainability is Netherlands’s 16th best-placed topic of 16. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Mobility & Trade4th of 1774/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality5th of 1593/3 keys
- Work & Labour7th of 1824/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation8th of 1764/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital9th of 1963/3 keys
- Governance & Institutionsjoint 13th of 1944/4 keys
- Digital & Technology15th of 1984/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties18th of 1984/4 keys
- Education & Knowledge21st of 1983/4 keys
- Gender & Equalityjoint 26th of 1834/4 keys
- Energy31st of 1653/3 keys
- Food & Agriculturejoint 37th of 1844/4 keys
- Risk & Resilience39th of 1934/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeing45th of 2003/4 keys
- Peace & Securityjoint 46th of 1774/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainability110th of 1863/4 keys
06The top of the list
Who leads on environment & sustainability
The three countries placed highest of 186, and the leaders Netherlands can most readily be measured against.
1
AngolaMiddle Africa
1st of 186 · 3 of 4 keys
Photo: Paulo César Santos derivative work: Jjtkk · CC0, greyscale
- 2
São Tomé and PríncipeMiddle Africa
2nd of 186 · 3 of 4 keys
3
Sierra LeoneWestern Africa
3rd of 186 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Annabel Symington derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY 2.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Europe
Liechtenstein27th2/4 keysThis page
Netherlands110th3/4 keys
Positions out of 186 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Questions
Netherlands on environment & sustainability: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does Netherlands rank on environment & sustainability?
Netherlands is placed 110th of 186 countries on Environment & Sustainability in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 4 key statistics (CO₂ Emissions per Capita, Water Stress and Organic Agricultural Area). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest CO₂ Emissions per Capita figure for Netherlands?
6.297 in 2024 (fossil CO₂ (tonnes per person)), according to Global Carbon Project. The world median in the same edition was 3.21.
What is the latest Water Stress figure for Netherlands?
14.91 in 2023 (freshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%)), according to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The world median in the same edition was 10.
How does Netherlands compare with Germany on environment & sustainability?
Germany is placed joint 133rd of 186, and Netherlands 110th. CO₂ Emissions per Capita: Germany 6.769, Netherlands 6.297; Water Stress: Germany 31.46, Netherlands 14.91; Organic Agricultural Area: Germany 11.11, Netherlands 5.06.
How have Netherlands’s environment & sustainability figures changed?
CO₂ Emissions per Capita fell from 10.72 in 2000 to 6.297 in 2024; Water Stress fell from 16.01 in 2000 to 14.91 in 2023; Organic Agricultural Area rose from 2.52 in 2005 to 5.06 in 2024.
Which environment & sustainability statistics are missing for Netherlands?
No current reading is published for Netherlands on Ecological Footprint, Mangrove Area and Tropical Moist Forest Deforestation. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
08Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
Air quality and biodiversity are not keys, because the site does not yet hold data for them that passes every test. Forest cover, farmland, farm emissions and the renewable share of electricity are published here as context. Exposure to natural hazards belongs to Risk & Resilience.
How the Environment & Sustainability standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 4 keys to be placed.
The environment & sustainability method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- CO₂ Emissions per Capita — Global Carbon Project, CC BY 4.0
- Water Stress — Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), CC BY 4.0
- Organic Agricultural Area — Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), CC BY 4.0
- Ecological Footprint — Global Footprint Network, CC BY-SA 4.0
The other 47 statistics on this page come from 18 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
Netherlands’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Netherlands (banner) — Traveler100, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Angola — Paulo César Santos derivative work: Jjtkk, CC0
- Sierra Leone — Annabel Symington derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY 2.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Netherlands: Environment & Sustainability — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/netherlands/environment