A new legal framework for reducing nitrogen deposition on Dutch Natura 2000 sites

Abstract

This thesis explores a new legal framework to reduce nitrogen deposition on Natura 2000 sites in the Netherlands, in order to comply with the court order in the Greenpeace nitrogen case, the reduction targets in the Environment and Planning Act and the Habitats Directive. Excessive nitrogen deposition on protected sites under the Habitats Directive has severe societal effects, leading to delays in important fields like housing and renewable energy. In order to move away from this deadlock, a swift reduction in nitrogen emissions is necessary. This thesis proposes a two-zone regulatory framework, where stricter reduction targets are implemented for agriculture near Natura 2000 sites, and agriculture in other places is regulated less strictly. The size of the strict areas differs, depending on the severity of the excess of nitrogen deposition of the site, and characteristics of the habitats in them.