By AFP - Agence France Presse
Netherlands must cut nitrogen emissions, court rules
The Netherlands must meet its 2030 target for reducing nitrogen emissions or face a penalty of 10 million euros (US$1.1 million), a court said on Wednesday in a case brought by Greenpeace.
Excessive amounts of nitrogen can have harmful consequences for water, soil, and air quality.
The court said that the nitrogen deposits measured in these protected areas, part of the European Natura 2000 program, are much higher than they can absorb, violating both Dutch and European legislation.
The court added that it was already too late for the Netherlands to meet its 2025 targets, but ordered the country to do everything possible to meet the targets set for the end of 2030.
In their ruling, the judges emphasized that the current far-right coalition had got rid of several projects implemented by the previous government, also reducing a climate transition fund from 24 billion to 5 billion euros.
There had been a “clear step backward”, the court said, adding that “drastic and unavoidable reductions” were necessary.
Greenpeace, the environmental group, said it was “relieved” by the decision.
“The government is in breach of its laws and must get to work now, nitrogen emissions must be reduced,” said Greenpeace Netherlands director Andy Palmen, quoted by Dutch news agency ANP.
The country's main agricultural union, LTO, said the decision will have “an enormous impact” on farmers and the economy as a whole.
“We call on the state to appeal this decision,” LTO president Ger Koopmans said in a statement. Nitrogen is a common ingredient in fertilizers.
Agriculture, transportation, and construction are the sectors that most need to reduce their nitrogen pollution, according to the government's website.
The Dutch state can appeal, but in the meantime, it will have to take steps to get closer to its 2030 targets.
The most vulnerable areas facing excessive concentrations of ammonia and nitrogen oxides should receive the highest priority, the court said.
cvo/sh/djt/gv
Comments