Greenpeace threatens legal action against Dutch state in nitrogen file | Abroad

According to Greenpeace Netherlands, the plans of the government in The Hague are insufficient. Efforts are being made to voluntarily buy out so-called peak taxers, companies that cause a lot of emissions in nature areas. According to the environmental organization, this is “much too non-committal”.

“Our patience has run out,” says Greenpeace director Andy Palmen. He says he would rather not go to court, but does not expect his organization’s demands to be met now. “If politics can’t solve it, and they haven’t been able to for years, then the judge has to say what needs to be done.”

Too much nitrogen acidifies the soil and dissolves substances such as calcium. Certain species, such as grass and nettles, grow faster due to a high nitrogen supply. Other plant species are displaced as a result, which in turn has adverse consequences for insects.

When reference is made to nitrogen, it actually refers to the nitrogen compounds ammonia, which for the most part comes from agriculture, and nitrogen oxides. These are emitted, for example, by petrol and diesel cars and factories.

ttn-3