Dutch nitrogen policy

Proactive policy for reactive substances

Ammonium-
Ammonium-
Nitrate
Nitrate
NH4

N2
Outline

• The Netherlands
• ‘Nitrogen’ policy in the last three decades
• Trends in nitrogen emissions
• Integrated nitrogen assessment and policy
• Conclusion and future
The Netherlands

• Small country
• High population density
• Drain for a significant part of North Western Europe
• High industrial and agricultural intensity

NLs Policy Trends Integrated policy Conclusion

The Netherlands – small country

NLs Policy Trends Integrated policy Conclusion

The Netherlands – area below sea level

NLs Policy Trends Integrated policy Conclusion

The Netherlands – catchment area

Catchment area
of the rivers Rhine,
Meuse, Scheldt and Ems

NLs Policy Trends Integrated policy Conclusion

For each person in the Netherlands

1/4 cow

1/2 car

8 chicken

1 pig

NLs Policy Trends Integrated policy Conclusion

The Netherlands – nitrogen surplus

NLs Policy Trends Integrated policy Conclusion

Nitrogen policy

• Environmental policy started out as single issue, single

compound policy
• Nitrogen related focus on agriculture, industry, energy and
transport
• In the 1980s and 1990s the second stage of environmental
policy was implemented which shifted its focus from
compartments to themes.

NLs Policy Trends Integrated policy Conclusion

Trends in nitrogen emissions
1990-2005

Air pollution 2010 target

NH3 –46% ☺/
NOx –38% /
Ambient air quality
O3 -75% / (hot spots)
NO2 -21% / (hot spots)
Climate change
N2O –16% ☺/ (including Kyoto mechanisms)
Water quality
NO3- – 33% ☺/ (sandy soils)
N-total –25% / (Water Framework Directive)

NLs Policy Trends Integrated policy Conclusion

Trends in nitrogen emissions
1990-2005

NLs Policy Trends Integrated policy Conclusion

Integrated nitrogen assessment and policy

• Sustainability and PPP

• Nitrogen related persistent environmental challenges:
• Human health
• Acidification
• Climate change
• Natural resources
• Biodiversity
• Nitrogen is multi source, multi compound, multi effect
• Need for integrated approach

NLs Policy Trends Integrated policy Conclusion

Integrated nitrogen assessment and policy

• Integrated assessment modelling

• RAINS, GAINS
• UNECE, EU
• Prevention of Nr creation
• Optimize nitrogen use efficiency
• Minimize NOx creation in fuel combustion
•Relation with climate policy
• International exchange of experiences and solutions

NLs Policy Trends Integrated policy Conclusion

Integrated nitrogen assessment and policy

NLs Policy Trends Integrated policy Conclusion

 Conclusion and future
• Refine integrated approach nationally
• Close nutrient cycle, continue pilot studies
• Integrate nitrogen consideration in other policy areas
For instance, biobased economy, climate policy, development cooperation etc.
• Further integration of nitrogen policy and research at European level
• UNECE TF Integrated Nitrogen
• EU (COST 729, ENA, NitroEurope)
• Continue international cooperation
• UNEP-GPA, INI, nitrogen conferences, etc.
• Develop framework to allow weighing of different nitrogen effects
for different policy areas (climate, air/soil/water quality etc.)
•Agreement on uncertainty, risk assessments
•(Cost)effective policies
NLs Policy Trends Integrated policy Conclusion
 Way forward to Brazil and beyond?

• Action plan for further assessment

• Integrate nitrogen in separate policies
• Optimize nitrogen use efficiency
• Minimize nitrogen emission from fuel combustion
• Policy maker involvement
• Nitrogen agenda on global, regional and local level
• Translation of MDGs in specific nitrogen targets

NLs Policy Trends Integrated policy Conclusion