Quality of life high, but not long-lasting: report

The Dutch lead a high quality life, but might not be able to maintain this for future generations, according to a joint report by the Central Planning Bureau (CPB), the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (PBL), the Social and Cultural Planning Office (SCP) and the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS). The Netherlands is one of the most prosperous countries in the world. The Dutch are generally healthy, content with their material and social circumstances, and rate their quality of life almost an average of eight out of ten. Unfortunately the quality of life comes at a price, the report suggests. Resources to sustain this flourishing state are restricted, in addition to posing environmental threats within the country as well as outside the Netherlands. Per capita, the greenhouse emissions in the Netherlands are quite high. The current government policy now focuses more on energy and climate goals for 2020, but barely focuses on the prospect of a looming crisis beyond then. Innovation, still exceedingly expensive, is crucial for continued sustainability in the Netherlands, the report argues, and for the prolonged efficient use of diminishing resources moving forward. Doubt is cast on a successful transition beyond low-carbon power supply forty years in the future. The agencies say that petitions and better outreach will benefit the country overall, spurring more social innovation to develop alternative energy technologies.