Abstract

In May 1989 the first 'National Environmental Policy Plan' of the Dutch government was submitted to the Dutch Parliament. One of the measures proposed in the plan, the abolition of tax relief for commuting costs, caused a cabinet crisis and 'environment' became a major issue in the elections of September 6th 1989. The article describes the development of Dutch environmental policy since the first wave of environmental concern in the early seventies. The different new elements in the analysis of the underlying causes of environmental problems and the proposed policy measures contained in the NEPP are discussed. The author mentions the extra expenditure required by the measures proposed in the plan. The NEPP is described as 'the report of a defeat', containing an excellent analysis of contemporary environmental problems but also showing the powerlessness of government, being unable to take the necessary policy measures.