New Dutch parliament poised to take stronger action on nitrogen reduction

The new Tweede Kamer, the lower house of Dutch parliament, could see a more ambitious approach to nitrogen reduction. D66, VVD, GroenLinks-PvdA, CDA, ChristenUnie, and Volt back significant measures to cut nitrogen emissions and have, in recent years, expressed varying levels of criticism toward BBB minister Femke Wiersma’s policies. Together, these parties are projected to hold at least 90 seats in parliament.

The swift rollout of the so-called arithmetic threshold, which would exempt low-emission companies from needing permits, also lacks majority support in the Tweede Kamer. The parties involved insist that such a threshold can only be introduced with adequate legal certainty, which, experts say, requires a policy package that clearly reduces nitrogen deposition on vulnerable natural areas.

Shortly before the elections, the Cabinet announced it would reassess in December whether to implement the higher threshold. BBB, Forum voor Democratie, and JA21 have been strong advocates of this easing.

As part of the “Netherlands Unlocked” starter package, the Cabinet set aside approximately 2.2 billion euros on April 25, 2025, to support nature restoration, achieve policy targets, and resume permit issuance.

The Cabinet’s reduction goals, detailed in the starter package, included about a 50 percent decrease in emissions from industry, mobility, and construction relative to 2019, and a 42–46 percent reduction in the agricultural sector.