Before anything can be built somewhere, it must be calculated how much nitrogen is released during that construction project. It is quite a job for the so-called nitrogen calculators. Jos Geurts is such a nitrogen calculator, he deals with it every day. If the Netherlands wants to work its way out of the nitrogen crisis, it will need many more colleagues to be able to carry out all those calculations. But he actually thinks that other plans should be made in The Hague.
Farmers are in danger of being bought out, the construction sector is at a loss because of the lost exemption and in the meantime there is a major shortage of experts such as Geurts. “We are faced with quite a few major challenges in the Netherlands,” the expert from the Rosmalen consultancy agency Kragten immediately admits.
So we are looking hard for solutions. On a large and small scale. “At our office, colleagues are quickly trained,” says Geurts. “For example, they normally work on calculations in the field of sound or odor dispersion, but are now learning more about nitrogen. This way we can work through the stock on our plate faster.”
But Geurts realizes all too well that this is short-term work. “That also applies to the exchange of emissions rights.” By this, the mathematician refers to the strategy whereby the so-called peak loaders (livestock farms with the highest emissions) are bought out, so that some nitrogen space is released for construction projects.
“There is a chance that they will again come up with certain exceptions for the construction sector.”
“The good thing about this is that it might allow that one neighborhood to be built a little faster. But ultimately the intention is that we help nature.” And, according to Geurts, this is badly needed if we want to comply with the agreements we have made with the European Union. “We have to maintain the Natura 2000 areas, but in some places it is already deteriorating. Every bit of nitrogen means extra deterioration.”
As far as Geurts is concerned, the ball is currently mainly in The Hague. “There is a chance that they will again come up with certain exemptions for the construction sector, just like the previous exemption.” The question is whether it will last this time.
Where does the key to success lie? “Ultimately, I think you have to come up with a solution for each area. For example, one piece of nature is affected by shipping, another is close to a highway and in Brabant a large part of the emissions come from intensive livestock farming. Then you cannot arrive everywhere with the same approach.”
It should be clear: for the time being there is plenty for Geurts and his colleagues to do. “Sometimes it is frustrating. Especially if something changes in the policy, which means that everything has to be redone. On the other hand, that piece of innovation also has its charms.”