The high spatial pressure and the historically egalitarian character make the Netherlands an interesting country for investigating environmental equity (the distribution of environmental burdens and amenities across socio-economic categories). This study developed an approach for analysing environmental equity and assessed the environmental equity situation. The driving forces underlying this situation were explored and the situation was interpreted in terms of justice. The distribution of environmental conditions across income categories was analysed quantitatively for the Netherlands as a whole, and for two highly urbanised regions (Rijnmond region and Amsterdam Airport region). Traffic noise, NO2, external safety risks and availability of public green space were selected as environmental indicators. A distinction was made between 'bads' (failures to meet prevailing standards) and 'goods' (compliance with standards or target values). The accumulation of these indicators was also considered. Lower income categories generally live in slightly worse environmental conditions. Most differences occurred at lower levels of noise and NO2, and were generally found to be small. For availability of public green areas, however, these differences were larger. Remarkably, in the two study regions, higher incomes were exposed more to air traffic noise than lower incomes. Furthermore, income-related differences for accumulated 'goods' were larger in these regions compared to the Netherlands as a whole. By using legal standards to realize a safe and healthy environment for all, the state plays an important role in the distribution of environmental 'bads'. It does not intentionally favour certain social-economic groups. This egalitarian approach is one explanation for the limited exceedance of standards despite continuing economic growth. However, exposure to 'bads' differs between income categories. Where spatial pressure is high, some standards are exceeded more often. Where national economic interests are involved, ...