Greenpeace wants less nitrogen quickly, State fears disruption in the Netherlands | Nitrogen

The case was initiated by Greenpeace and was supported by several nature and environmental organizations. Greenpeace already has a lawsuit against the State. But because the environmental organization is afraid that damage in certain nature reserves can no longer be reversed, it has filed summary proceedings.

Greenpeace wants the government to have a plan within four months with measures to protect the most vulnerable nature against too much nitrogen. At least 40 percent of Dutch nitrogen-sensitive nature should no longer be burdened with too much nitrogen before the end of 2025. “It is clear that nature in the Netherlands is getting worse and worse,” said Greenpeace lawyer Bondine Kloostra.

According to her, this deterioration of nature is contrary to the obligations of the Netherlands to protect vulnerable nature. “Time and again the State chooses shortcuts. And time keeps ticking,” she said. “The State is pushing the issue further and further until there is nothing left to save.”

According to the State Attorney, the Netherlands has indeed had “a high nitrogen load on nature for decades”. But according to him, measures have also been taken in recent decades to reduce the amount of nitrogen that settles in nature.

“Between 1990 and 2021, total ammonia emissions decreased by 65 percent and the total amount of nitrogen oxides decreased by 57 percent. This means that nitrogen deposition (precipitation, ed.) has also steadily decreased,” the lawyer explained.

If the government had to comply with Greenpeace’s demand, this would have “disruptive” consequences, according to the State Attorney. “If businesses are closed, tens of thousands of people will be thrown out onto the streets overnight.”

The judge indicated that the case is so complex that it is of the “outside category”. He needs until June 6 to make a ruling.