Over 800 hundred council workers have signed a letter to Amsterdam council saying the city’s environmental plans do not go far enough.

The letter, leaked to the Parool, states the council is not prioritising climate policy and ‘measures to ensure the city’s future as a liveable city are not being taken.’ The new council’s coalition accord contains a pledge to cut CO2 emissions by 60% in 2030 compared to 1990.

‘Global warming has made Amsterdam one of the most vulnerable metropolitan areas in the world,’ the paper quotes the letter as saying. ‘You might expect us to be at the forefront in the prevention of the further escalation of the climate crisis.’

Sustainability chief Zita Pels told the paper she understands the concerns expressed in the letter but also said ‘a new administrative period has started and that things will be speeded up considerably.’