The Provincial Executive of South Holland has established a package of measures aimed at contributing to nitrogen reduction and nature restoration. Major provincial challenges are currently at a standstill.
This is the result of several court rulings concluding that too few measures for nitrogen reduction and nature restoration are being taken to responsibly grant permits for various economic activities. This also affects challenges such as housing construction, energy transition, and sustainability. Innovations in agriculture, which should contribute to lower emissions in the long term, are currently not proceeding. It is an alarming situation that lasts one day too long every day. We dare to say: if South Holland is at a standstill, the Netherlands is at a standstill.
Mercilessly Hard Hit
Our economy is mercilessly hard hit. Whether it concerns a port worker, food producer, or distribution company; the pain is felt everywhere. The South Holland industry is of great importance locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally and plays a crucial role in the energy transition and CO2 reduction. Due to grid congestion, the sustainability efforts have already been delayed, but the lack of nitrogen space makes it even harder to establish or expand businesses.
South Holland also needs to build nearly a quarter of a million homes and sees those plans disappear into the freezer. An initial estimate is that a large part of the construction is severely stagnating, while the demand remains undiminished.
Measures Solve Less than 10% of the Problem
The province of South Holland has inventoried all possible measures. Even those with a significant impact on the environment were not taboo. The four measures currently on the table focus on nitrogen reduction and represent a first step forward to get the permitting process back on track. Each sector will have to contribute proportionately to the solution, and more proposals will follow in the long term.
The province feels the need to take action itself and must also recognize that with the package of measures, less than 10 percent of the problem in South Holland can be solved. There is a significant dependency on national measures, which only makes the situation more urgent.
Little Livestock Farming, Much Industry
South Holland has relatively little intensive livestock farming, so any contraction for ammonia reduction contributes relatively little. The province has a lot of industry, which mainly emits nitrogen oxides. This emission has been decreasing for years, and that trend continues, as the industry has been required for years to always use the best available techniques. It is therefore difficult to make a substantial contribution to solving the nitrogen issue, as the province has few levers to turn.
However, waiting is not an option; as a province, we do everything within our power to solve this problem. Therefore, South Holland presents these 4 measures to the Provincial States:
- Business-oriented target steering via ammonia ceilings
- Transition zones near Natura 2000 areas
- Strategic land policy for relocation and extensification
- Recruiting natural blockers
This set of measures, which requires 100% commitment, offers a significant reduction in nitrogen in the long term, starting today. We would have liked to take on more of the task ourselves, but the unique character of South Holland does not provide the possibilities, says coordinating nitrogen deputy Mariëtte van Leeuwen. In recent weeks, we have worked non-stop, under high pressure. And we held various discussions with our stakeholders. We see this as a first step; there is still work to be done, especially in coordination with the national government on which we are so dependent.
With this package of measures, the province is unfortunately still not there. If no generic, province-wide measures are introduced, South Holland will practically remain at a standstill, with significant consequences for the entire country. We assume that the national government and Europe will face these enormous challenges together with us. And quickly.
You can read more in the draft decision (opens in a new window).