Artikel 21: Environment
It shall be the concern of the authorities to keep the country habitable and to protect and improve the environment.
Explanation
Please note: Only the Dutch-language version of the Constitution has legal effect.
The authorities must keep the country habitable. This includes managing water, protecting the country against flooding, and protecting and improving the living environment. Care for the environment encompasses all measures that can be considered environmental protection in the broadest sense.
This duty has been put into effect in legislation such as the Environmental Management Act, the Soil Protection Act and the Spatial Planning Act.