Satellite data reveals true scale of nitrogen emissions in the Netherlands

New satellite research provides a clearer picture of nitrogen emissions in the Netherlands, helping policymakers and citizens understand the impact on nature, health, and climate. The findings could shape future environmental regulations and emission reduction strategies.

Key Data Point	Details
Gases Monitored	Ammonia (NH3) and Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)
Satellite Instruments Used	CrIS, IASI (for NH3), TROPOMI (for NO2)
Total NOx Emissions (2020)	~200 million kilograms (equivalent to 500 Boeing 747s)
Emission Estimation Uncertainty	20-30% for total emissions
Models Validated	EMEP4NL, LOTOS-EUROS
Future Satellite Missions	Sentinel-4, IRS (hourly measurements), TANGO (300m x 300m resolution)
Research Program	National Nitrogen Knowledge Programme (NKS)
Funding Ministry	Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LVVN)

The Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI) plays a critical role in monitoring atmospheric conditions and providing data to inform environmental policies. This research supports the Dutch government’s efforts to manage nitrogen emissions, which are a key factor in nature conservation and public health.

The summary and analysis above were generated by European AI

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Read the full translated article below

Nitrogen in the Netherlands viewed from space

March 24, 2026

Monitoring the two key players in the nitrogen issue, the gases ammonia (NH3) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), is crucial for mapping the impact on nature, humans and the climate. Both gases are observed from space using satellite instruments. These measurements provide an additional check on the quality of the models used to describe the transport, chemical conversion and deposition of nitrogen. Furthermore, these measurements allow us to estimate emissions of both gases. A recently published research report shows how these satellite measurements can help improve our understanding of nitrogen in the Netherlands.

Satellite measurements for determining nitrogen emissions and testing models

Satellites measure the total amount of ammonia and nitrogen dioxide in the atmosphere, complementing ground-based measurements (see image 1). Satellites use various instruments to measure everywhere, including locations without ground stations. The satellite research described in the research report uses ammonia observations from the CrIS and IASI instruments, and nitrogen dioxide observations from the TROPOMI instrument.

The main conclusions from the satellite research are:

The quality of satellite measurements of ammonia and nitrogen dioxide is sufficient to add information to current knowledge of nitrogen. Ammonia measurements are less accurate than those for nitrogen dioxide, but the uncertainties in modelling and emissions are also greater for ammonia.
Satellite measurements show that the models used in the Netherlands for hourly nitrogen modelling (EMEP4NL, LOTOS-EUROS) are realistic. The modelled total amount, distribution across the Netherlands, time dependence and even simulated individual plumes show a high degree of agreement with satellite measurements, which increases confidence in the knowledge and modelling of emissions, atmospheric transport and chemical conversion.
Satellites provide independent information on emissions to test reported emissions. For example, image 2 shows the average amount of nitrogen dioxide in the air and the amount of nitrogen dioxide emitted in 2019. Four independent methods were tested to estimate emissions for ammonia and the two nitrogen oxides NO and NO2 (collectively referred to as NOx) based on satellite measurements. The spread in the results – 20 to 30 percent for total emissions – provides valuable information on the uncertainties in the estimates (see image 3). The resulting total emissions are close to the reported emissions (emissieregistratie.nl) and largely fall within the uncertainty margins of the satellite data, inversion methods and inventories. In 2020, an average of about 200 million kilograms of nitrogen oxides were emitted, equivalent to the weight of 500 Boeing 747s.

KNMI's contribution to the research

The KNMI contributed to this research by providing nitrogen dioxide measurements from TROPOMI, further developing the KNMI DECSO (Daily Emissions Constrained by Satellite Observations) software for estimating NH3 and NOx emissions, and developing an improved flux divergence method (FDA) for estimating NOx emissions based on TROPOMI measurements.

Recently launched satellite instruments will measure reactive nitrogen in even greater detail from space. The Sentinel-4 and IRS instruments on the METEOSAT Third Generation satellite will provide hourly measurements of nitrogen (the instruments used in the study measure once a day). Future missions such as TANGO (ESA's SCOUT programme) will measure nitrogen dioxide with much higher spatial resolution, up to 300 by 300 metres. KNMI is closely involved in these developments.

National Nitrogen Knowledge Programme

This study is part of the National Nitrogen Knowledge Programme (NKS), funded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LVVN). The NKS programme aims to further develop and improve the observation and modelling of nitrogen in the Netherlands. The work was carried out by scientists from TNO, KNMI, RIVM and the universities of Leiden and Wageningen.