Nitrogen crisis in the Netherlands

File:Waarom heeft Nederland een stikstofprobleem.webm

Agriculture (46.0%)

Foreign sources (32.3%)

Households (6.1%)

Road traffic (6.1%)

International shipping (2.9%)

Other traffic (2.2%)

Ammonia from the sea (2.2%)

Industry (1.0%)

Other (construction, waste, energy, etc.) (1.2%)

The nitrogen crisis in the Netherlands is an ecological and legal crisis that has been named as such since 2019, following a ruling by the Department of Administrative Jurisdiction of the Council of State. At the root of the crisis lies the nitrogen problem. In the Netherlands, the soil is burdened by a very high application of reactive nitrogen compounds, particularly ammonia (NH3) released from animal manure.[1] In addition, nitrogen oxides (NOx) are emitted by internal combustion engines, such as those in motor vehicles and industry. Human activities that release nitrogen compounds in large quantities lead to undesirable effects on the quality of soil, water, air, and nature.

When the nitrogen crisis began in 2019, it already had a long history, both legal and ecological. The first European standards were set as early as 1991. European countries are obliged to comply with the Habitat Directive, which states that a 'favourable conservation status' must be aimed for in Natura 2000 areas.

On May 29, 2019, the Council of State declared the Government's Nitrogen Approach Program (PAS) invalid.[2] As a result, the PAS could no longer be used for granting nitrogen permits in the vicinity of Natura 2000 areas. This ruling immediately led to the suspension of various projects (mainly in housing), and the government had to urgently seek solutions.[3] Although the nitrogen problem had been present for many years, the Council of State's ruling immediately suspended an estimated 18,000 construction projects.[4]

In 2020, the Remkes commission released a report titled "Not Everything Can Be Everywhere," which recommended reducing nationwide emissions of NH3 and NOx by 50% compared to 2019 for long-term solutions (up to 2030). The NH3 target should be higher in certain areas close to natural areas. As of July 2021, construction projects could proceed without nitrogen testing under the so-called Building Exemption. However, this exemption was overturned by the Council of State in November 2022, and a "protracted nitrogen crisis" continues.

## References

1. ↑ "Stikstof". WUR. 25 September 2019. https://www.wur.nl/nl/Dossiers/dossier/Stikstof-1.htm.
2. ↑ "Uitspraak 201600614/3/R2, 201600617/3/R2, 201600618/3/R2, 201600620/3/R2, 201600622/4/R2, 201600630/3/R2". Raad van State. https://www.raadvanstate.nl/uitspraken/@115602/201600614-3-r2/.
3. ↑ "Gemeenten worstelen met stilgelegde projecten door stikstofuitspraak". Nieuwsuur. 9 September 2019. https://nos.nl/nieuwsuur/video/2301053-gemeenten-worstelen-met-stilgelegde-projecten-door-stikstofuitspraak.html. Retrieved 1 October 2019.
4. ↑ Teije, Stefan ten (11 October 2019). "Huizenbouwers wakker geschud door stikstofcrisis: ‘Het kán anders’". Algemeen Dagblad. https://www.ad.nl/wonen/huizenbouwers-wakker-geschud-door-stikstofcrisis-het-kan-anders~a2920a65/.

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