Analysis Nitrogen
Nitrogen policy is becoming increasingly bogged down in chaos
Nitrogen policy is becoming increasingly chaotic. Rules and boundaries are being knocked down one after the other. Last summer, the cut-off of 25 kilometers was introduced for, among other things, the emissions from road traffic. Environmental organization MOB is nibbling on this and at RIVM this is not always the limit. In the meantime, the central government and the provinces are still focusing almost exclusively on emissions from agriculture.
To start at the 25 kilometer limit: after comments from the Hordijk committee Last summer, the cabinet decided to no longer count nitrogen emissions from road traffic and 'individual objects' (companies, installations) up to 5 kilometres, but up to 25 kilometres. In official circles, this was grudgingly implemented, according to WOB documents that have since been made public.
Different calculation methods
RIVM also started calculating with the new emission limit, but does not use a uniform calculation model within 25 kilometers, according to an impact analysis of the institute itself. One calculation model is used for nitrogen precipitation up to 5 kilometers away from a road or building, and the other is used for distances between 5 and 25 kilometers. As a result, no additional nitrogen precipitation is charged between those 5 and 25 kilometres. The number of deposition-poor areas in the Netherlands remains minimal.
Meanwhile, environmental organization MOB is not satisfied with a cut-off at 25 kilometers, phased or not. According to MOB, precipitation of nitrogen from all sources must be included in the full blow. A whole series of lawsuits are in the pipeline on this issue.
Focus on agriculture
Remarkably, the provinces are now continuing to prepare for nitrogen purchases from farms, even though it is becoming increasingly clear that a focus on agricultural emissions alone is increasingly difficult to defend. MOB in particular and the Brabant States member Hermen Vreugdenhil ensured this. Emissions from industrial companies, road traffic and energy generation must also be included and, in part, even mapped out. There are still several unlicensed companies whose emissions are also unknown.
In a presentation drawn up by the consultation body IPO (Interprovincial consultation), the need for lower nitrogen emissions is explained. It also underlines that all sectors should contribute proportionally. On further reading, this seems to turn out differently in practice. The IPO then indicates that it only wants to limit agricultural emissions. According to the IPO, however, this is a snapshot of one specific tool. Similar resources are still being developed for industry and other sectors.
In the meantime, the province of Overijssel has announced that it will immediately stop trading in nitrogen rights.
In the meantime, the agricultural sector can do little else than wait and see. It is becoming increasingly clear that from a legal point of view the sector is no longer alone in this and that there is probably still some room for negotiation regarding the real contribution made by the agricultural sector to total emissions.
Klaas van der Horst
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