Dutch climate policies shape with citizens
Climate policies are often prepared by governments, experts and scientists. However, in recent years some countries are looking for ways to include citizens directly. The National Citizens Climate Assembly, which was applied in the Netherlands, is one of the most remarkable examples.
According to the results described in May 2026, the Dutch government decided to implement about half of the climate recommendations prepared by citizens. This development offers an important example of how effective the participant democracy in climate policies.
Cagents discussed climate solutions for a year
[The National Citizens launched in 2025 were randomly selected from different regions of the country for the Climate Assembly. Participants represent a variety of structure as possible in terms of age, education level, profession and political opinion.[
The participants who have met with experts for about one year, evaluated different scenarios and negotiated with them developed recommendations that can help the Netherlands achieve their climate targets.
The aim was not only to get the opinion of citizens, but to produce solutions that different social segments can meet in common ground.
]
]82 shall apply 41 from the proposal
The total 82 recommendations were presented to the government at the end of the work of the postclis. [
As a result of the evaluation by the Dutch Climate and Green Development Ministry, this proposal was decided to implement 41 of these proposals. It was noted that some of the other recommendations covered with existing policies, some of them require additional research or technical evaluation.
Accepted recommendations cover different fields, such as energy conversion, sustainable agriculture, reduction of food waste, strengthening public transport, developing electric vehicle infrastructure and expanding cyclic economy applications.
Why Important?
] [The success of the policies of hope is not only dependent on the right technologies or adequate financing. It is important to adopt and support these policies of society.
] Therefore, in many countries, citizenship councils, climate boards and participating decision-making processes come to more agenda.
The point of interest in the Dutch example was to develop common recommendations on a controversial topic of people with different opinions. The government accepts an important part of these recommendations and shows that the participation of citizens can go beyond a symbolic consultation process. [
Can you strengthen the climatic policies?
] Cagents are not a solution alone. After all, 175 people do not represent the entire Dutch population of 18 million. It is also possible to see what the effect of accepted recommendations will be.
However, this model shows that climate policies can be shaped not only by the decisions taken below, but also with the contribution of different segments of society.
Climate change requires a long-term conversion. In order to succeed this transformation, technological solutions are becoming more and more important.
Can it be a new model?
The experience of the Dutch shows that a new approach that combines participants democracy with climate action can be possible. Although the long-term impact of the results is not yet known, the first data indicates that the citizens can be not only the target audience of climate policies, but also solution producers. [
Source: Dutch Government, 2026; Turkinfo, 31 May 2026; The Conversation.
According to the results described in May 2026, the Dutch government decided to implement about half of the climate recommendations prepared by citizens. This development offers an important example of how effective the participant democracy in climate policies.
Cagents discussed climate solutions for a year
[The National Citizens launched in 2025 were randomly selected from different regions of the country for the Climate Assembly. Participants represent a variety of structure as possible in terms of age, education level, profession and political opinion.[
The participants who have met with experts for about one year, evaluated different scenarios and negotiated with them developed recommendations that can help the Netherlands achieve their climate targets.
The aim was not only to get the opinion of citizens, but to produce solutions that different social segments can meet in common ground.
]
]82 shall apply 41 from the proposal
The total 82 recommendations were presented to the government at the end of the work of the postclis. [
As a result of the evaluation by the Dutch Climate and Green Development Ministry, this proposal was decided to implement 41 of these proposals. It was noted that some of the other recommendations covered with existing policies, some of them require additional research or technical evaluation.
Accepted recommendations cover different fields, such as energy conversion, sustainable agriculture, reduction of food waste, strengthening public transport, developing electric vehicle infrastructure and expanding cyclic economy applications.
Why Important?
] [The success of the policies of hope is not only dependent on the right technologies or adequate financing. It is important to adopt and support these policies of society.
] Therefore, in many countries, citizenship councils, climate boards and participating decision-making processes come to more agenda.
The point of interest in the Dutch example was to develop common recommendations on a controversial topic of people with different opinions. The government accepts an important part of these recommendations and shows that the participation of citizens can go beyond a symbolic consultation process. [
Can you strengthen the climatic policies?
] Cagents are not a solution alone. After all, 175 people do not represent the entire Dutch population of 18 million. It is also possible to see what the effect of accepted recommendations will be.
However, this model shows that climate policies can be shaped not only by the decisions taken below, but also with the contribution of different segments of society.
Climate change requires a long-term conversion. In order to succeed this transformation, technological solutions are becoming more and more important.
Can it be a new model?
The experience of the Dutch shows that a new approach that combines participants democracy with climate action can be possible. Although the long-term impact of the results is not yet known, the first data indicates that the citizens can be not only the target audience of climate policies, but also solution producers. [
Source: Dutch Government, 2026; Turkinfo, 31 May 2026; The Conversation.
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