The Province of North Brabant is expanding its renewed nitrogen approach to all economic sectors. Just like in livestock farming, companies or institutions that want to significantly reduce their nitrogen emissions can now do so via a notification instead of a permit. This creates space for sustainability and nature restoration without the deadlock in permit issuance hindering further development.
The province wants to keep Brabant open for living, working, and roads. For this, strong nature and a robust water and soil system are essential. Because nitrogen emissions form a significant obstacle, the province now also offers companies outside the agricultural sector the opportunity to achieve nitrogen reduction as a so-called appropriate measure for nature. This is done through a new scheme included in the Brabant Development Approach Nitrogen (BOS 2.0), with adjustments made to the Environmental Regulation and Environmental Law Policy Rule North Brabant.
Proportional Contribution
BOS 2.0 focuses on proportional nitrogen reduction across all sectors. In livestock farming, this has a mandatory character stemming from the Nitrogen and N2000 covenant in which the province and partners have made agreements on reducing ammonia emissions from livestock stables. In other sectors, mandatory sustainability requirements often come from other environmental factors such as energy, resulting in nitrogen reduction as well. Current nitrogen figures show that relatively more reduction has taken place in the industrial sector, contributing proportionally.
Deputy Wilma Dirken (Nitrogen): “Entrepreneurs and institutions outside agriculture must also become more sustainable. With this scheme, we make that possible. We deliberately choose an approach that places nature restoration at the center and offers perspective to companies that want to contribute to a sustainable future. This way, we keep Brabant open for everyone.”
Room for Sustainability
Companies and institutions that want to significantly reduce their nitrogen emissions can participate in the scheme under conditions. The measures are legally established through a customized regulation, providing legal certainty. The scheme aligns with the policy change previously initiated for livestock farming. By recognizing nitrogen reduction as an appropriate measure, space for development arises without the need for a nature permit. Parts of an initiative that do not directly contribute to nature restoration – such as expansion of production capacity – remain subject to permit requirements.
Next Steps
The necessary changes to the Environmental Regulation will be included in the amendment planned for December 2025. The Policy Rule will be adjusted in the first quarter of 2026. Once the criteria are established, companies can register to participate in the scheme.
