DON’T MISS
IamExpat FairIamExpat Job BoardIamExpat Webinars
Newsletters
EXPAT INFO
CAREER
HOUSING
EDUCATION
LIFESTYLE
EXPAT SERVICES
NEWS & ARTICLES
Home
Expat Info
Dutch news & articles
Light pollution decreases in the Netherlands: the country gets darker
Never miss a thing!Sign up for our weekly newsletters with important news stories, expat events and special offers.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy

Light pollution decreases in the Netherlands: the country gets darker

Never miss a thing!Sign up for our weekly newsletters with important news stories, expat events and special offers.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy
or
follow us for regular updates:



Related Stories

Botanical gardens in the Netherlands Botanical gardens in the Netherlands
5 apps to help you lead a more sustainable life in the Netherlands5 apps to help you lead a more sustainable life in the Netherlands
If the Netherlands flooded what would be left of the country?If the Netherlands flooded what would be left of the country?
[Video] Gorgeous Dutch tulips[Video] Gorgeous Dutch tulips
[Video] Exquisite natural areas in North-Brabant[Video] Exquisite natural areas in North-Brabant
[Video] Largest storm surge barrier in the Netherlands[Video] Largest storm surge barrier in the Netherlands
[Video] How the Dutch dug up their country from the sea[Video] How the Dutch dug up their country from the sea
Innovative ways Dutch companies are helping the environmentInnovative ways Dutch companies are helping the environment
For expats of all colours, shapes and sizes

Explore
Expat infoCareerHousingEducationLifestyleExpat servicesNews & articles
About us
IamExpat MediaAdvertisePost a jobContact usSitemap
More IamExpat
IamExpat Job BoardIamExpat HousingIamExpat FairsWebinarsNewsletters
Privacy
Terms of usePrivacy policyCookiesAvoiding scams

Never miss a thing!Sign up for expat events, news & offers, delivered once a week.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy


© 2025 IamExpat Media B.V.
© 2025 IamExpat Media B.V.
Oct 27, 2018
Mina Solanki
Completed her Master's degree at the University of Groningen and worked as a translator before joining IamExpat. She loves to read and has a particular interest in Greek mythology. In addition to this, she is an avid rower.Read more

The Netherlands is one of the most illuminated countries in the world. In the last six years, light pollution has increased every year, but not anymore. According to research which looked at the 54 largest cities in the country, the Netherlands is getting darker. Dutch nature and environmental organisations are calling this a “turning point”.

Not shining as brightly

The satellite Suomi NPP has been measuring rising light from a great distance for the last six years. Despite increasing every year, the Netherlands now seems to have reached a turning point and is now getting darker.

The darkest cities relatively are Stadskanaal, Groningen; Dronten, Flevoland; Emmen, Drenthe and Heerenveen, Friesland. The most light pollution stems from Amsterdam and the area in which Delft, Rotterdam, The Hague and Zoetermeer can be found.

Whether or not the Netherlands becomes even darker in the coming years depends, to a large degree, on businesses. Municipalities, provinces and the Department of Public Works (Rijkswaterstaat) are already dimming and switching off lights where possible. However, some companies are in the habit of leaving lights and advertisements on for the whole night, as LED lighting doesn’t cost that much.

The Netherlands in darkness on Saturday

On Saturday, October 27, the 14th edition of the Night of the Night (Nacht van de Nacht) was held. Throughout the country, hundreds of events were held in darkness and multitudes of companies and municipalities switched off lights from buildings and advertisements.  

By Mina Solanki