Minister Wiersma (LVVN): “I am very pleased with this bill, because with this we make the shift from focusing on nitrogen deposition to focusing on nitrogen emissions. At this moment we are dealing with shifting targets, and it is very difficult to create policy based on that. What you emit, that is what you can control. Therefore, we are moving to emission policy. Because as an entrepreneur, you have control over what you emit, not over what falls out.”

Shift from nitrogen deposition to emissions

The Environmental Act includes targets for reducing nitrogen deposition. These targets are based on the critical deposition value (CDV). The CDV is the scientifically determined limit above which nitrogen deposition can be harmful to nature. That limit varies by type of nature.

The cabinet wants to get rid of the CDV as an environmental value in the law because it is a too shifting target. The task arising from these targets has significantly increased in recent years. The cabinet emphasizes that it is impossible to implement consistent and long-term policy if the scope of the task changes mid-course. The current targets are no longer considered achievable by the cabinet, partly due to the social, societal, financial, and economic consequences of nitrogen measures. By shifting the focus from deposition to emissions, more control over the task is created.

A legally sustainable alternative

The coalition agreement includes the commitment to remove the CDV targets from the law and replace them with a legally sustainable alternative. The cabinet chooses emission targets as an alternative, which will be included in a legally required program. The legal program will also contain measures to meet those targets. A program ensures that measures are well coordinated and that adjustments are made when necessary.

The current legal targets also have a corresponding program, namely the Nitrogen Reduction and Nature Improvement Program (PSN). The legal program will be a supplement and update of the current PSN and will contain the measures that the MCEN has decided to get the Netherlands out of the nitrogen impasse. European agreements will also be taken into account.

Follow-up process

The internet consultation runs from July 14, 2025, to August 24, 2025. After processing the responses from the internet consultation, the bill will be sent for advice to the Advisory Division of the Council of State as soon as possible via a decision in the Council of Ministers. It is expected that the bill will be sent to the House of Representatives for consideration by the end of 2025. Once both the House and the Senate have approved and the law has been published, the new law will take effect.

In parallel with the internet consultation, the legally required program will be further developed, allowing future decision-making by the MCEN to be taken into account.