Measures to reduce nitrogen pollution in various sectors

The Netherlands has been emitting too much nitrogen for years. This is harmful to nature and our health. Therefore, the government is taking measures to reduce emissions. For instance, it has reduced maximum speed limits. In addition, companies that emit a lot of nitrogen face specific measures. 

• Nitrogen in agriculture
• Nitrogen in the industrial sector
• Nitrogen in construction
• Nitrogen in transport

Nitrogen in agriculture

Nitrogen emissions in agriculture must be significantly reduced by 2030 (in Dutch). To achieve this, livestock numbers in the Netherlands will have to come down. Because this will have major consequences for many farmers, special financial schemes will be introduced.

Farmers near protected areas will receive a one-off offer to move, make their farms more sustainable, or stop. Those who decide to end their business will receive compensation. 

Subsidies and measures agriculture           

Various measures and subsidies exist to reduce nitrogen emissions in the agricultural sector.

• Subsidy for livestock farmers who voluntarily relocate their farms. This is known as the National peak load livestock relocation scheme (in Dutch).
• Subsidy for farms to purchase a manure processing installation. This allows them to remove manure faster and process it (or have it processed) into high-quality fertilisers at a central location. This is known as the Subsidy scheme for high-quality manure processing (in Dutch).

Changing cattle feed can also reduce nitrogen emissions. That is why the government is making agreements with parties in the agricultural sector to reduce the crude protein content in cattle feed (in Dutch).

Nitrogen in the industrial sector

The industrial sector accounts for 2.1% of the nitrogen emissions in the Netherlands. Therefore, the government has also agreed on nitrogen targets for this sector (in Dutch). 

Subsidies and measures for industry

As in the agricultural sector, there will be a peak-emission approach (in Dutch) for the largest industrial emitters. There are also various measures and subsidies for the industrial sector.

• Subsidy for accelerated climate investments in industry (VEKI): entrepreneurs who want to take CO2-saving measures can apply for a VEKI-subsidy (in Dutch)

Nitrogen in construction

The construction sector is responsible for 0.6% of total nitrogen emissions in the Netherlands. The government wants to prevent construction projects from coming to a halt because their nitrogen emissions are too high. If you want to be able to build, you must make a separate calculation of the nitrogen emissions released during construction, for each construction project.

Subsidies and measures for construction

To reduce nitrogen emissions, there is a subsidy for construction companies that make their construction equipment more sustainable.

In addition, government departments will encourage emission-free construction projects (in Dutch) by more often choosing construction companies that use clean and emission-free construction equipment. The transition to clean and emission-free construction will also be stimulated through the Knowledge and Innovation Programme for Clean and Emission-free Construction (in Dutch). The programme focusses, among other things, on the use of lighter and sustainable building materials, and the use of emission-free tools on the construction site.

Nitrogen in transport

Transport accounts for 11% of all nitrogen emissions in the Netherlands. Nitrogen emissions from road traffic, shipping, and aviation must therefore be reduced.

Subsidies and measures for transport

There are several measures and subsidies to help reduce nitrogen emissions in the transport sector.

• Subsidy for inland vessels to purchase an SRC catalyst. This is known as the Subsidy scheme for sustainability of inland vessels (in Dutch);
• Subsidy for port operators and other promoters to offer shore power. This is known as the Shore power subsidy scheme.

In addition, modern trucks can reduce nitrogen emissions in their exhaust by using an AdBlue system with SCR catalyst. To encourage this, there will be better monitoring (in Dutch) of such systems.

BIJ12 helpdesk

You can contact the BIJ12 (in Dutch) helpdesk of the joint provinces with questions about nitrogen, permit policy, (status of) permits, and so on.