Air quality is a much-discussed topic that concerns all Dutch people. While there is sometimes the impression that the air is becoming more and more polluted, the opposite turns out to be true.
Every 4 years, the Netherlands must submit a program to the European Commission (EC) that addresses emissions of sulphur, nitrogen, volatile organic compounds (except methane), ammonia and particulate matter. This is called the 'NEC program' and must be received by the EC by April 1. At the end of January, State Secretary Van Stientje van Veldhoven of Infrastructure and Water Management sent the concept to parliament.
The tone of the letter to Parliament is positive; This is in stark contrast to the efforts of the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality on the files. The agricultural sector would have to make an even greater effort to achieve reductions.
The letter to Parliament also shows that, with current knowledge, the Netherlands will achieve the reduction targets for the above-mentioned substances for both the target year 2020 and 2030. For this reason, the State Secretary has not included any additional measures in relation to the established policy.
Air is much cleaner
The aim of the 'NEC Directive' is to achieve air quality levels that do not pose significant effects on and risks to human health and the environment. The guideline was revised in 2016. It has been calculated that the negative consequences of air pollution on health and premature death will be reduced by almost 2030% between now and 50. The 5 substances covered by the NEC directive have decreased by 1990% to 60% since 80. The air has become much cleaner.
The RIVM recently indicated in the report 'Developments in emissions and concentrations of ammonia in the Netherlands between 2005 and 2016' that as the air becomes cleaner, the ammonia concentration does not decrease. The cause of this can be found, among other things, in the sulfur oxides. The NEC program shows that sulfur emissions have been reduced by as much as 1990% between 2015 and 84. The emission ceiling for sulfur is 50 kilotons, which the Netherlands is well below at 30 kilotons.
Nitrogen emissions have fallen by approximately 1990% in the period from 2015 to 62. This is partly due to the various measures for passenger cars and freight traffic and the various measures in the industry, refineries and energy sector.
Also ammonia emission under ceiling
Ammonia emissions have fallen by 1990% since 64, putting ammonia just below the NEC ceiling. Ammonia emissions have increased again since 2014, mainly due to an increase in the dairy herd, changed feed composition and higher use of fertilizer.
Emissions of PM10 (coarser particulate matter) have fallen by 1990% since 64 and PM2.5 (finer particulate matter) have fallen by 75%. The decrease in these emissions is mainly due to companies and traffic. High particulate matter concentrations are mainly found in the agglomerations of Amersterdam/Haarlem and Rotterdam/Dordrecht. Livestock farming is not intensively represented in these areas.
Facts contradict opinion
In addition to the mandatory NEC program, the Netherlands is also working on a 'Clean Air Agreement' (SLA). In this agreement, agreements are made at various levels to mainly tackle area-by-area exceedances or high concentrations. It is likely that there will also be a reduction task for agriculture in certain areas.
All in all, the conclusion of the NEC program is optimistic: the objectives are being achieved and the Netherlands is on schedule. This seems to be in stark contrast to prevailing opinion. The air is cleaner than ever, but the pressure on the agricultural sector for cleaner air is still very high.