3.3.1 An overview

In 2015, the Netherlands had a GDP of 752,5 million USD, 16,9 million of inhabitants and an unemployment rate of 6,9%.12 It was in 2016, the 17th largest economy in the world.3 The Netherlands has been described as a frontrunner in sustainability practices given its culture and progressive environmental legislation.4 In the 2016 Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World index, four companies were Dutch.5 As a signatory to the Kyoto Protocol since the 29th of April of 1998, the Netherlands has cut its greenhouse gas emissions by an average of 4% a year in the period of 2008-2010, although the target was 6%.6 On the 24th of June of 2015, the Hague District Court ruled that the State has to ensure that Dutch GHG emission will be cut at least 25% from the levels registered in 1990, by 2020.7 Besides complying with the sustainability disclosure requirements on a European level, the Netherlands has also been developing further sustainability reporting initiatives on a national level. In 2010 the Dutch Government has developed a sustainable procurement policy, publicly stating its intention to have 100% sustainable procurement, by taking into account environmental and social consideration in its awarding of contracts.8 The tenderer companies have to demonstrate and provide prove in their proposals that they comply to the criteria set by the Dutch Government sustainable procurement policy.9