Low emission zone on the water: Leiden bans combustion-powered boats

The Dutch city of Leiden is taking a big step towards a future without fossil fuels. The municipality is working on a plan to introduce an environmental zone on the city's waterways. This plan means the end of boats that run on diesel or other fossil fuels. Instead, only electrically powered boats and rowing boats will be allowed on Leiden's canals and canals.

Even though transport on water is almost as important in Holland as on land, there is not yet much regulation compared to the roads. The development in Leiden is therefore a milestone in Dutch environmental policy. It shows that Leiden is prepared to take radical measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve the quality of life of its citizens. The environmental zone is to be implemented by 2030 and fossil-fuelled boats banned from the city's waterways.

Lianne Raat, city councillor for the Party for the Animals, is behind these plans. She sees a lot of support for the three-stage plan, which will be discussed by the city council next week. "Firstly, we will no longer issue new mooring permits for boats that are not electrically powered. Then we will also revoke existing permits, and in the third phase we will ban polluting boats from entering Leiden," says Raat.

For the time being, the proposal does not concern the water police or organisations such as the rescue team. "We are talking about pleasure craft and canal boats, so these organisations are not affected. But we would of course prefer the police to go electric as well," says Raat.

There will be a ban on combustion engines on the roads in just over a year's time. A zero-emission zone for delivery vans is planned in Leiden from 2025. Shops in the city centre of Leiden will then have to be supplied by electric vans. A clear sign that the city is consistently committed to protecting the environment.

The planned measures are a bold step forward. They show that Leiden is prepared to take responsibility for the environment and make a contribution to climate protection. It remains to be seen whether other cities will follow this example. But one thing is certain: Leiden is sending a clear signal for a greener future.