Left-wing MPs accuse Dutch cabinet of weak climate response after extreme summer

Left-leaning parliamentarians who joined the climate march in Amsterdam accused one outlet cabinet of falling short on climate policy after a summer marked by extreme temperatures and forest fires. Christine Teunissen, representing Partij voor de Dieren, said she had expected more from Prime Minister Rob Jetten’s administration, which she noted had put forward "very good proposals." Climate minister Stientje van Veldhoven responded that the government has started a "speed-up" of climate initiatives, citing an additional wind-farm park and legislation to require energy suppliers to increase green-gas deliveries.

A D66 minister recalled that the previous coalition under non-partisan premier Dick Schoof had scaled back ambitions. Sjoukje van Oosterhout of PRO expressed strong disappointment, arguing the heatwave was a chance for the cabinet to implement extra measures to combat heat and prepare for the approaching cold winter.