What does your workday as Deputy Mayor look like?

I haven’t been a Deputy Mayor for very long myself, so it is all still a bit of a learning process for me. What I’ve noticed, though, is that there is a lot of consultation and meetings with various departments that are working on the same topics as I am. At the same time, I try to spend a lot of time out in the city, talking to the people who live here. I also make a point of visiting green spaces and playgrounds, precisely those places where we want to make a real impact. I really try to reach out to these locations so I can get a clearer picture of what the work we do here at City Hall actually entails. For me, maintaining that balance is very important.

What are your current environmental priorities for the Municipality of Amsterdam?

Above all, it is clear that climate change remains a massive challenge, one for which there is still no clear answer. Amsterdam has long aspired to be a frontrunner in measures to combat climate change, and we will continue to do so in the future too. This means taking responsibility for our own emissions and aiming, as a city, to reduce our contribution to further climate change. It is clear that climate change is bearing down on us, or rather, is already affecting us. That is why I believe it is crucial to minimize the negative impact we have. But beyond that, and I believe this is something you touch upon as well, it is crucial to consider how we co-exist with nature. This means ensuring that nature within the city is given sufficient space. That applies to greenery, of course, but also to insects and wildlife. It is something we pay close attention to, because, after all, humans live alongside nature. Cities are home to so many people, which can sometimes impact the freedom nature has within the urban environment. So, that is a key consideration: how do we ensure the two co-exist successfully?

Science

Protecting Our Pollinators: A Q&A with Amsterdam’s Deputy Mayor Lian Heinhuis

Nov 1, 2026 · 2 min read

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