Tens of thousands of people marched through Amsterdam on Saturday, calling on the Dutch government to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and take stronger action on climate change.
The protest took place just three days before the cabinet is due to present its annual budget plan.
The Klimaatcrisis Coalitie, which includes Greenpeace, Milieudefensie, Extinction Rebellion and around 200 other organisations, said more than 40,000 people joined the demonstration.
Protesters followed a 2.5-kilometre route from Dam Square to Museumplein. The march included 43 organised groups, including young people, technology workers and members of trade union federation FNV.
Many protesters carried signs featuring the word “klimaatdrammer”, meaning “climate nag”. Prime Minister Rob Jetten previously embraced the label after a VVD MP used it against him in 2019.
The coalition is calling on the government to end fossil fuel subsidies and speed up investment in wind and solar energy instead of focusing on nuclear power.
Coalition spokeswoman Merel Fiets said early reports about the government’s leaked budget were “not encouraging”. She warned that current policies would not be enough for the Netherlands to meet its climate targets.
Organisers said Climate Minister Stientje van Veldhoven received their demands at a press conference before the march. However, she did not announce any new measures.
