The law moves this period from 2035 to 2030, thus fulfilling a government promise from the coalition agreement. However, that same agreement is now under discussion: the CDA wants to renegotiate the nitrogen section.
The bill also introduces a permit requirement for “in-place metering”. Companies can then expand, as long as their total nitrogen emissions decrease or remain the same.
Citizens and organizations were allowed to express their opinion on the law in a public consultation on the Internet. About 140 did. Almost all responses have been mostly negative. The 2030 deadline in particular had to suffer. Farmers and their representatives, including the LTO, Agactie and the Dutch Dairy Union, are strongly against it.
Room for customization
They are supported in this by Bouwend Nederland, the province of Overijssel and the Waste Management Association. Bouwend Nederland fears a suspension of the permit if the deadline is not met. The Dutch Association for Waste Management writes that bringing forward the nitrogen targets will coincide with the deadline of the climate targets. “This puts more pressure on the companies concerned, but of course also on the competent authorities and probably also on the judiciary, which are already facing major capacity challenges,” writes the Dutch Waste Management Association.
The Waste Management Association is therefore asking the government to create a legal framework for tailor-made agreements with companies or for locations that cannot arrive at 2030.
Sustainability exception
Environmental organizations and other so-called supply chain partners are positive about 2030, but critical of other parts of the law. The licensing requirement for internal clearing is particularly controversial with them. For example, Energie-Nederland says there must be room for building sustainable energy projects and the limited fossil emissions needed for that.
The Dutch Renewable Energy Association also believes that the government should include exceptions in the law for projects that promote the energy transition. So they don’t have to apply for a permit or have priority.
VNO-NCW and MKB-Nederland are also key. For many of their members, the internal network is the only way to make commercial space. This also applies to initiatives that actually lead to nitrogen profit, they write in response to the law. Bouwend Nederland expects sustainability to be delayed. Under the current system, it can already take two years before a permit is granted for nitrogen emissions, notes the interest group.