5 May 2025 – Utrecht, Netherlands – On 5 May, we celebrate the liberation of the Netherlands 80 years ago and the defeat of fascism. Since then, we have built our country, resulting in new opportunities, growth and prosperity. For decades, freedom meant economic prosperity, room for development and infinite growth.

But on this day of remembrance and celebration, we must ask ourselves: how free are we really? Our freedom may seem self-evident, but today it is once again under pressure. In addition to the war on Europe’s borders and the rise of dictatorial leaders, this is also due to the way we treat our planet. If everyone in the world lived like the Dutch, by 5 May we would have used up everything that the earth can renew in a year. We live as if we have three Earths and treat nature as an inexhaustible resource, when in fact it is the basis of our existence.

Download full-size (834 kb, png)

The consequences of our overconsumption over the past 50 years are becoming increasingly visible:

• Climate change is causing increasing economic damage and forcing people to migrate (loss of financial value and security).
• Scarcity of raw materials leads to tensions and conflicts (loss of peace).
• Pollution and damaged nature harm our health (loss of well-being).

True freedom is more than just being able to say what you think. It is also the certainty that we can live without fear for a future with increasingly extreme weather conditions, scarce resources and loss of liveability.

Just as previous generations stood up together against oppression, it is now up to us to choose a new future-proof course and beat hyper capitalism:

• A truce with nature: from depletion to restoration.
• Investing in the future: with renewable energy, a circular economy and sustainable agriculture.
• Freedom for all: a just transition in which no one is excluded or oppressed by ecological problems.

Eighty years after the war, we have learned that freedom cannot be taken for granted. Lasting freedom means living within the limits of the Earth’s carrying capacity. What do you value most in your life? And which future-proof choice is your favorite?

Media Contact:
Joost Brinkman
Email : joost@sinkit.org
Tel: + 31 6 12 60 30 53

A sustainable future is a secure future

Global conflicts and raw material supply problems during disruptions as experienced with COVID-19, make painfully clear how dependent many countries, including the Netherlands, are on resources from other countries. Disruptions to this fragile system can easily undermine any country, including the Netherlands’ economic and social stability. Resource security is therefore becoming an ever more significant parameter of economic resilience and strength. It is therefore only logical for the Netherlands to prepare herself for a world of resource scarcity and climate change.

The Footprint of the Netherlands in brief

• The Netherlands’ Ecological Footprint is 6 times its domestic biocapacity, and, per person,  4 fold the global biocapacity.
• The Netherlands’ carbon Footprint is 60% of its total Footprint. Even if the target of 55% reduction by 2030 is met, CO₂ emissions will remain the dominant factor of the Dutch Footprint.
• Nitrogen emissions per hectare are more than 4x higher than the European average. The nitrogen crisis caused by it, is hampering implementation of the energy transition.
• An estimate from last year showed that the Footprint of food-related components (cropland, grazing land, and fishing grounds) makes up 24% of the total Footprint. More than 40% of it, is related to meat and dairy consumption.

Impact of Dutch Climate Policy

The Netherlands’ demand from the Earth isn’t supportable; the Dutch ecological footprint highly exceeds the country’s regenerative ability. Rob Jetten, Minister for Climate and Energy Policy from 2022 to 2024: “We are running into planetary limits in our small country. That’s why the national government is transforming our economy towards a sustainable & circular economy. Our climate policy plays a central role in this, but it is important to have a broader view. It is crucial that we learn from mistakes of the fossil past and ensure that the conversion to this new economy is in line climate, nature, human rights and the environment.”

What will it take to bring the date to 31 December

The Global Footprint Network’s analysis showed that current measures are having a big impact, reducing our overshoot by 44%. However, more will be needed to bring our society into balance with the Earth before the effects of overshoot force us to adjust our lifestyles. Besides reducing our Footprint, an important role here is for the agricultural sector to increase the Netherlands’ bio-capacity. Growing bio-based materials and applying circular and regenerative agriculture are concrete examples of this which could be scaled.

“The implications of overshoot are particularly apparent for the Netherlands, including its nitrogen crisis and its struggles with climate policies. Circular businesses are part of the answer. These are businesses that reduce overshoot as they expand. Because of this feature, these businesses also hold the highest promise for increasing in value in times of persistent overshoot” said Mathis Wackernagel, founder of the Global Footprint Network.

Who is behind Dutch Overshoot Day?

Global Footprint Network is an international sustainability organization that is helping the world thrive within the Earth’s means and respond to climate change. Since 2003 we’ve engaged with more than 60 countries, 40 cities, and 70 global partners to deliver scientific insights that have driven high-impact policy and investment decisions. Together, we’re creating a future where all of us can thrive within the limits of our one planet. footprintnetwork.org

Sinkit is on a mission to restore the carbon cycle and stabilize our climate by removing CO₂ from the atmosphere. Our goal is to initiate at least 55 carbon removal projects by 2030. Together with our partners, we develop and accelerate natural and technological carbon removal solutions. We help companies and individuals achieve net zero with transparent and traceable carbon offsets, and we raise awareness on the need for carbon removal. Sinkit is a cooperative organization, which means everyone with a shared vision and mission can become a member and invest in Sinkit. sinkit.org

Additional Resources

• Subscribe to our newsletter to participate in the transition
• Summary of the Dutch resource balance: fact sheet on the Netherlands’ Footprint and biocapacity, based on data from 2022.
• Country-level Footprint data platform
• Global scenario calculator
• Your personal Ecological Footprint