Abstract

The Dutch government is taking various measures to ensure that people in the Netherlands live healthier lives. The objectives include reducing overweight and problematic alcohol use. Two initiatives in this regard are the National Prevention Agreement (NPA) and the Coherent Prevention Strategy (SPS).

With these measures, it is already possible to achieve win-win situations, both for health and the environment. For example, limiting red and processed meat consumption is both healthier and less environmentally harmful. Adjustments and additions to the measures set out in the NPA and SPS can reduce the environmental impact of the Dutch diet even further. This requires a robust set of measures that are more strict than those set out in the current agreements. This is shown by a study conducted by RIVM.

In concrete terms, these measures should ensure that the available food offer is healthier and more plant-based than animal-based. Another important aspect is to replace soft drinks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks with water. Legislation will be needed to improve the available food offer in environments such as schools. Other possibilities include reducing the number of advertisements for unhealthy food that is also harmful to the environment, and including the costs of damage to health and the environment into food prices.

Non-binding measures have too little impact. National and international health and environmental targets will not be reached without robust adjustments and additions to the existing measures. A well-coordinated approach by the ministries that develop and implement health and sustainability policy, with policies that also contain more binding measures, is needed to make it easier for citizens to make healthy and sustainable choices.

RIVM conducted this study on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature.