Gov’t under fire for plans to halve nitrogen emissions by 2035 instead of 2030

The Cabinet is “creating their own reality” with the announcement that they now want to halve nitrogen emissions from traffic, the industrial sector, and agriculture by 2035 as opposed to 2030, this criticism was leveled at the government by Friends of the Earth Netherlands (MilieuDefensie).

Greenpeace and Mobilisation for the Environment (MOB) also believe that the government is postponing the fate of nature and farmers. The plans of the ministerial committee on nitrogen will be released in a letter on Friday.

The court had ruled in Greenpeace’s favor earlier this year, stating that the nitrogen deposition on sensitive natural areas must be halved by 2030, otherwise they risk a fine of 10 million euros. The ministry is going to appeal this verdict, but they must stick to the agreement in the meantime.

This idea by the Cabinet “increases problems, such as more forest fires and water pollution," said the Milieudefensie. Greenpeace director Andy Palmen described it as “the latest vague plan which is presented with a lot of pomp and circumstance.”

By only setting targets for 2035 and not for 2030 “this Cabinet is taking no notice of the court’s verdict,” Palmen said.

The European Habitats Directive states that Natura 2000 areas are not allowed to regress. The court ruled in the Greenpeace case that the government had not done enough to meet this requirement for years. The current Cabinet even scrapped plans to aid this issue and reduced most of the budget for the plans.

A special commission of ministers has now been tasked to come up with a plan of approach towards the reduction of emissions by 2030.

Johan Vollenbroek of MOB has also criticized the leaked plans of the halving of emissions. “It is utter stupidity.” The European rules will continue to apply, he emphasized. “But this Cabinet has no interest in nature.” MOB will continue to initiate proceedings, according to Vollenbroek.