Inaugural lecture Valérie van 't Lam: 'Environmental law plays a key role in addressing the Netherlands' most pressing problems'

Valérie van 't Lam has been professor of Environmental Law at the University of Groningen since 1 August 2025. She will deliver her inaugural lecture on 13 February. 'Environmental law is about everything you see outside, and that intrigues me.”

_{Text: Esther van der Meer}

You are a solicitor in Amsterdam's Zuidas business district and now also a professor: both professions in which women are still underrepresented. Do you want to be an example for other women?

‘Yes, I would like to be such an example. I do what I really enjoy. And I also guard important boundaries very well. For example, at important moments for our children, at school or when they are ill, my husband and I make sure that we are really there for them.’

Environmental law is broad. What do you want to focus on in your research?

'I see a shift within environmental law. I see more civil cases on subjects that can or are regulated by administrative law in a permit.

Take, for example, the CO2 case against Shell: if a CO2 reduction were to be imposed, I feel that you would be correcting things after the fact rather than in advance. Is something going wrong in advance? I would like to take a closer look at that: can we adequately tackle the challenges of our time with environmental law?

Another thing is that I see similar reporting and research obligations for companies in different areas of law: this leads to confusion between areas of law. Does all this contribute to effective environmental protection?

Your inaugural lecture is entitled “Resilient environmental law?”. What is the core of your lecture?

‘I looked at a number of current topics: CO2 emissions, substances - such as PFAS - and health, energy conservation, and reporting and research obligations for companies. I measured these against a standard of resilience without losing sight of the core values of the democratic constitutional state.

This boils down to the question of whether environmental law provides sufficient legal certainty, whether there is sufficient equality for citizens and companies, and whether environmental law can respond adequately to new challenges for the environment.

Take PFAS, for example. The discovery of this substance initially led to a success story: from non-stick pans to rainproof clothing. Then it was discovered that this substance does not break down and is dangerous to humans and the environment. Environmental law must then respond and perhaps also anticipate.

Is environmental law resilient enough?

‘Yes. There is room for improvement, though. We also need to view environmental law in a more coherent way: you cannot view administrative law, criminal law and civil law in isolation from each other. I see civil law as the canary in the coal mine: if a certain issue keeps cropping up in civil court, then you need to check whether it is properly regulated under administrative law.

Take, for example, the measure introduced a few years ago requiring companies to take energy-saving measures. The frameworks were so unclear that there were many court cases and discussions about it. Clear regulations were then introduced, so that companies know what they have to comply with, and since then there have been significantly fewer cases. Companies and citizens need clarity.'

Which issue in your field do you consider most urgent?

'Nitrogen, water and sustainability: these are the top three problems we currently face in the Netherlands. Environmental law plays an important role in all three.

The Natura 2000 areas in the Netherlands are in such poor condition that all kinds of projects, even if companies want to become more sustainable, fail to pass the test of the highest administrative court. When it comes to water, the Netherlands is not meeting the targets of the Water Framework Directive. Sustainability measures are needed, but regulations do not seem to provide sufficient provisions for this, or sometimes even stand in the way. These are important themes and fascinating from a legal perspective.’

As a solicitor and partner at Stibbe in Amsterdam, you see a lot of cases. What do you take from your work to your research practice and vice versa?

‘As a solicitor, I see what rules do in practice, and you also notice how and where there are ambiguities or difficulties in the legal system. I find that valuable for a good understanding of environmental law. And I can pass on my experience and knowledge to students: I hope that this makes my lessons interesting. Conversely, as a scientist, I keep better track of research and delve deeper into it. That is very valuable in practice.“

How do you want your research to contribute to society?

'I hope to contribute to better environmental law that benefits the environment, citizens and businesses alike.”

Are you also an activist?

‘No, I think I understand very well what companies are struggling with. I am always looking for balance.’

What did you want to be when you were a child?

‘I grew up surrounded by many different animals, so at first I wanted to be a vet. Then I wanted to be a psychologist, and after that, I thought being a juvenile court judge would be a great job. I graduated with degrees in private law and constitutional and administrative law. In the end, I chose administrative law and environmental law. That's what grabbed me during my studies: it's so tangible. Environmental law is about everything you see outside, and that intrigues me.'