The Environment and Planning Act: Simplifying and Integrating Environmental Law

In the Netherlands, the complex and fragmented system of environmental law has been in need of a fundamental reform. Despite previous efforts to improve sectoral legislation, the desired result has not been achieved. In response, the Dutch legislature has introduced the Environment and Planning Act, a comprehensive act that consolidates 26 acts and 120 governmental decrees related to spatial planning, infrastructure, nature, and water.

A Coherent Approach towards the Physical Environment

The main goal of the Environment and Planning Act is to establish a cohesive approach to the physical environment in terms of policy, decision-making, and regulations. One of the key instruments of environmental law addressed in this act is the environmental permit. The integration of sectoral environmental permit systems aims to simplify and expedite decision-making procedures for activities impacting the physical environment.

Towards a Fully Integrated Environmental Permit System

The concept of integrated environmental permitting, presented in this book, has sparked significant discussion in the Netherlands. It encompasses not only the procedural integration of sectoral permitting systems but also the substantive integration of various assessment criteria. This approach seeks to create a fully integrated environmental permit system that streamlines processes and ensures consistency.

Exploring International Developments and EU Environmental Law

In addition to focusing on the Dutch context, this book provides an overview of integrated environmental permitting developments in Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands. It also examines the impact of EU environmental law and its integration within the new Dutch Environment and Planning Act.

About the Author

Hanna Tolsma, Assistant Professor at the University of Groningen, has dedicated her research to public law and environmental law. With a PhD focused on the use of mediation by administrative authorities, she brings a unique perspective to the field. This book is a product of her postdoc research project, sponsored by the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO),and complements her extensive publications on general administrative law and environmental law.