After consulting the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI), RIVM has decided to activate the National Heatwave Plan throughout the Netherlands as of 18 June 2026. The reason for activating this plan is to let informal carers and care professionals know that a heatwave is coming.

Once every two years, the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) assesses the health impacts of the plans under the Clean Air Agreement (Schone Lucht Akkoord, SLA). According to the third progress assessment, health gains from cleaner air in 2030 will be greater than predicted two years previously.