Agreeing on targets stimulates national debate about how much environmental improvement is necessary, possible or desirable. Translating the Plan into Action Environmental policy in the Netherlands depends on a strong regulatory framework backed up by effective inspection and enforcement agencies. However, no government can achieve lasting environmental improvement on its own. The plan therefore lays the foundation for an incentive structure which encourages and requires all groups in society to make decisions that will reduce adverse environmental impacts. Consultation and negotiation are central to mobilizing this cooperative effort.
Consultation leads to a greater sense of involvement and commitment by all parties.
The chances of achieving policy objectives are further improved if implementing actions are shaped by those who have responsibility for carrying them out. The NEPP established a number of implementation strategies. The policy planning phase involved extensive consultation and negotiation with all affected government departments. Subsequently, sectoral plans for environmental management were produced by the ministries responsible for energy, transport, water and nature conservation. Reduce to zero worldwide emissions of substances which threaten the ozone layer.