The Hague – On January 28, the District Court of The Hague will rule on whether the Netherland’s current climate policy is unlawful for failing to adequately protect the people of the Caribbean island and Dutch special municipality of Bonaire from the impacts of the climate crisis. It’s the first European adaptation ruling on overseas territories that could have groundbreaking legal consequences worldwide.

While the Dutch government does a lot to protect citizens in the European part of the Netherlands from the impacts of climate change, no similar protections have been provided to Bonaire residents, who are already struggling with extreme heat and extreme weather.

Bonaire artist and plaintiff, Jackie Bernabela said the Greenpeace-supported lawsuit offers “a glimmer of hope” for the people of Bonaire.

“We are resisting the slow erosion of hope. Because hope is the cornerstone of action, and we need action now. Wealth will not save you when the water rises. Power will not save you when disease spreads. Only compassion, courage, and unity. That faintest spark of hope that I and others have can awaken a future worth fighting for,” she said.

Eight residents of Bonaire and Greenpeace Netherlands are demanding that a climate adaptation plan be put in place to protect Bonaire locals and that the government reduce Dutch CO2 emissions to zero more quickly. On Wednesday, January 28, at 2 p.m., the District Court of The Hague will rule in the Climate Case Bonaire against the Dutch state. 

This is the first case in Europe where a judge may order a country to implement an adaptation policy protecting people from the impact of climate change. In the recent International Court of Justice (ICJ) Advisory Opinion in The Hague, the judges unanimously ruled that states must keep global warming below 1.5 degrees and that their climate plans must show maximum ambition, taking into account historical emissions and economic capacity. The Bonaire case is the first major test case on a state’s mitigation and adaptation ambition following the ICJ’s groundbreaking ruling and could set a precedent with global relevance.

Marieke Vellekoop, Director of Greenpeace Netherlands, said: “This climate case is crucial. First and foremost for the people of Bonaire, but also for all of us. It is unacceptable and unjust that residents of Bonaire are already experiencing the effects of climate change every day, such as heat and sea level rise, while receiving less protection than people in the European part of the Netherlands. It should not matter where you were born: everyone has the right to protection against floods, storms, and extreme heat.”

ENDS

Notes:

1. The ruling can be followed at 2 p.m. CET via a livestream from the court. The verdict will be published at 3 p.m. CET on Rechtspraak.nl.

2. Would you like to be present in court? Contact the communications department at voorlichting.rbdh@rechtspraak.nl

3. A fifth of Bonaire could disappear
Previous research commissioned by Greenpeace Netherlands shows that the climate crisis is already affecting daily life on Bonaire. Residents are at great risk due to rising sea levels, extreme weather, and dying coral reefs. People are already experiencing the health effects of extreme heat. Without action, up to a fifth of the island could disappear under water by the end of this century. 

4. Dutch government puts big polluters above climate and people
Politicians have watered down climate policy in recent years, and the (outgoing) cabinet will not meet the climate target set out in the Climate Act. Instead, the cabinet is providing fossil fuel subsidies and abolishing the CO2 tax for companies. Nor have any decisions been made in the formation of the new government that are necessary to reduce emissions. “The cabinet is protecting major polluters at the expense of the climate and people. We must not only keep the climate targets in sight, we must achieve them and accelerate them. The time for delaying and postponing must now really be over. Only with robust and fair measures can emissions be reduced more quickly. We demand that the Netherlands at least comply with the Climate Act and make its fair contribution to achieving global climate goals. This means reducing CO2 emissions to zero as quickly as possible. This is possible within the Netherlands by 2040,” said Vellekoop. 

5. Bonaire climate case
Residents of Bonaire and Greenpeace have taken joint legal action to demand fair climate policy from the Dutch state. They are being assisted by lawyers from Kennedy van der Laan and Prakken d’Oliveira. The hearings took place on October 7 and 8, 2025, and were attended by the eight plaintiffs from Bonaire.

Contacts:

Laura Polderman, Greenpeace Netherlands Press Officer: +31 (0)6 2900 1140, laura.polderman@greenpeace.org

Greenpeace Netherlands general press number: +31 (0)6 2129 6895

Davos, Switzerland – As US President Donald Trump arrives in Davos on the first anniversary of his second term, amid escalating trade threats against Europe, Greenpeace warns that the World Economic Forum (WEF) is once again giving a platform to policies that deepen climate chaos, economic instability and inequality.

Clara Thompson, European Lead Campaigner at Greenpeace Germany said:

“Trump’s visit exposes the contradiction at the heart of Davos. Leaders who abandon climate action, threaten economic confrontation and deepen inequality are treated as global leaders, while the costs are pushed onto everyone else. After years of Trump-style politics, we know what happens when extreme wealth runs the show: democracy, climate action and equality are always the first to lose.”

Thompson said Trump’s presence reflects a broader shift toward billionaire-driven politics, reinforced by the World Economic Forum’s own Global Risks Report 2026, which warns of escalating geo-economic confrontation and climate breakdown, while failing to confront the role of extreme wealth and corporate power driving both.

“Trump’s presidency shows what happens when billionaire power goes unchecked. Big tech, fossil fuel interests and powerful political leaders shape global decisions without democratic accountability — and forums like Davos continue to legitimise this model. The WEF is quick to name global risks, but it refuses to look in the mirror and confront the actors fuelling them,” Thompson added.

Thompson stressed Europe must respond to rising tensions with the US by reducing dangerous dependencies. This should begin with the withdrawal of the pledge to purchase USD 750 billion worth of US energy, as well as the ending of all additional agreements to purchase US liquefied gas.

“Doubling down on US fossil gas and unregulated tech monopolies is a strategic mistake. Instead of deeper reliance on billionaire driven power politics, Europe needs energy independence, strong regulation of big tech and fair global tax rules.”

Greenpeace calls on governments to support the UN-led Tax Convention negotiations, arguing that none of the risks discussed in Davos can be solved without systemic reforms of global tax rules that should include making the super-rich and corporate polluters pay their fair share.[1] 

ENDS

Notes: 

[1] Media briefing: UN Tax Convention 

Contacts:

Clara Thompson, European lead campaigner, Fair Share project, Greenpeace Germany: +49 1758530226, clara.thompson@greenpeace.org

Christine Gebeneter, European communications lead, Fair Share project, Greenpeace Austria: +43 664 8403807, christine.gebeneter@greenpeace.org

Greenpeace International Press Desk: +31 (0)20 718 2470 (available 24 hours), pressdesk.int@greenpeace.org

Climate defenders in Australia, the Rainbow Warrior bids farewell to Brazil, and celebrating the Global Ocean Treaty coming into force in the U.K. Here are a few highlights of Greenpeace work around the world over the first weeks of 2026.

Australia – Greenpeace Australia Pacific returns to Lost Paradise Music & Arts Festival in Glenworth Valley, New South Wales, to celebrate the beauty of our wild planet and the movement working to protect it.

Brazil – The Greenpeace ship Rainbow Warrior bids farewell to Brazil after a tour across three capital cities following COP30 in Belém.

Germany – Greenpeace celebrates the imminent entry into force of the historic UN High Seas Protection Agreement (BBNJ) with an art event in front of the Brandenburg Gate. Greenpeace activists lay out a 5 x 8 metre 3D floor banner that transforms the square into a colourful underwater world. The agreement will enter into force worldwide on 17 January 2026. Ratification by Germany is still pending. Seen here is Greenpeace Campaigner Ocean Protection Franziska Saalmann.

U.K. – A striking new mural is unveiled in St Leonards-On-Sea, East Sussex, to celebrate a landmark moment for global ocean protection: the High Seas Treaty coming into force. The UK artwork, by Richt, features a message in a bottle, a call to action for the UK government to complete signing the ocean Treaty into law as soon as possible, joining the 81 nations including China, France, Japan, Spain, Mexico and Brazil who have already done so.

Indonesia – A portrait of Mariasi Aritonang in front of her home that was affected by the flash floods in Tukka Subdistrict, Central Tapanuli, North Sumatra.

Mauritius – Community-led art installation across Ubay Island, Bohol to commemorate thAs part of the official launch of the Greenpeace Africa office in Mauritius, our creative partner, renowned Mauritian artist Daphne Doomun, created a powerful mural artwork designed to inspire hope, raise awareness, and reinforce the urgent need for ocean protection. This visual statement symbolizes the collective responsibility of communities, institutions, and individuals to safeguard marine ecosystems and reflects Greenpeace Africa’s commitment to protecting at least 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030 for the benefit of present and future generations.

Indonesia – Aid and Donations being delivered after the flash floods in Tukka Subdistrict, Central Tapanuli

Greenpeace has been a pioneer of photo activism for more than 50 years, and remains committed to bearing witness and exposing environmental injustice through the images we capture.

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