The Dutch state is to issue green bonds as of 2019, Wopke Hoekstra, the finance minister has announced.
This would make the Netherlands the first AAA-rated country to issue government bonds aimed at financing sustainable investments.
In a letter to parliament, Hoekstra said the country could spend between €3.5bn and €5bn annually on green investments, such as railway infrastructure, energy saving projects, and the development of sustainable energy.
He also cited the Delta fund, aimed at protecting the Netherlands against the effects of climate change, including flooding and the provision of fresh water.
According to Hoekstra, issuing green bonds was not only feasible but also desirable, as the Dutch treasury supported the development of a solid green capital market, and institutional investors had shown a need for sustainable investment opportunities.
