Green gas expert Ruud Paap: Netherlands could be freed of nitrogen cap within months
The nitrogen overload and subsequently the lock on any new economic activity has the Netherlands in a grip and everyone is affected. The solution to the nitrogen issue will not be found in creative diversions around it, but in tackling the problem at hand. Nature in the Netherlands is overloaded by nitrogen emissions and much of it is a result of manure from extensive livestock production. Current nitrogen emissions from manure however, can be reduced by almost half through a combination of barn modifications, fermentation and post-treatment. By unleashing this approach on manure release near dedicated nature areas, the Netherlands could be off the nitrogen lock within months.
When legislation gets in the way of solving the nitrogen problem, there is need for a government with guts
The Netherlands is on lockstep; after years of ignoring the nitrogen emission problem, government can no longer ignore it. Nature is now suffering so much that any new activity that includes even the smallest amount of nitrogen emissions is not permitted. As a country we suffer greatly from this situation because it means, among other things, no extra production activities, and no new building of houses and infrastructure.
The annoying thing is that activities that could solve the problem are also denied permits. This is because in developing problem solving solutions , there will be a small amount of nitrogen emission during the construction phase, and that isnow not allowed. Shrinking livestock production may be a solution but as long as it is not linked to a decrease of meat and dairy consumption, it is not an actual solution but merely shifting the problem.
A livestock farmer can make adjustments in his stables that prevent the manure from emitting nitrogen but that would require a permit. The same goes for a digester to produce green gas or a post-treatment that allows the livestock farmer to make his own fertiliser from manure. These techniques are not new and are already applied in several locations in the Netherlands.
By specifically treating manure that is produced near the dedicated Dutch Natura 2000 areas, nitrogen emissions in those areas are drastically reduced, nature can take its course again and the Netherlands’ new production activities can be released. As a pleasant side-effect, this approach will also prevent greenhouse gas emissions, produce renewable energy and will improve the stable’s climate. All it takes is a government that is willing to issue permits, showing some creativity and flexibility.
Letting the nitrogen emission problem simmer is not an option because the housing shortage, the energy transition and all the other major tasks we are facing in this country will not tolerate any delay.
