DutchNews.nl - DutchNews.nl brings daily news from The Netherlands in English

23 May 2025
Newsletter Donate Advertise
  • News
  • Life in the Netherlands
  • Jobs
  • Podcast
  • About us
  • Search
  • Home
  • Economy
  • Art and culture
  • Sport
  • Europe
  • Society
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Housing
  • Education
  • News
    • Home
    • Economy
    • Art and culture
    • Sport
    • Europe
    • Society
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Housing
    • Education
  • Life in the Netherlands
    • Latest
    • Opinion
    • Books
    • Travel
    • 10 Questions
    • Learning Dutch
    • Inburgering with DN
    • Food & Drink
    • Ask us anything
  • Jobs
  • Podcast
  • About us
    • Team
    • Donate
    • Advertise
    • Writing for Dutch News
    • Contact us
    • Privacy
    • Newsletter
  • Search

Big industry has agreed no deals on cutting nitrogen: NOS

November 17, 2023
Part of the Chemelot site. Photo: NED2011 via Wikimedia Commons

None of the 24 industrial “peak polluters” identified by public health institute RIVM have agreed limits on nitrogen emissions, a year after the cabinet promised to tackle them, an investigation by broadcaster NOS has shown.

In November last year the cabinet said it would enter into talks with industry as well as farmers to come to agreements to cut emissions. The ministry originally estimated some 50 to 60 industrial polluters would figure on the list but that was later scaled down to 24, including Tata Steel, BP, chemicals companies and two Vattenfall energy plants.

None of the 24 have so far entered into hard and fast agreements to limit emissions despite assurances from nitrogen minister Christianne van der Wal.

NOS asked the 24 businesses about their contacts with the ministry and found that half had not spoken to ministry officials at all while the other half had only had an introductory meeting.

Others said they “see possibilities to cut emissions” but  are waiting for an invitation to the ministry of economic affairs to discuss their ideas.

A ministry spokesman said initial talks were held with the seven biggest companies on the list, including Tata Steel, Chemelot and insulation manufacturer Rockwool. This has not yet led to concrete results, the spokesman said. Further meetings have been planned, he said.

Only one industrial polluter has pledged to limit emissions but that had nothing to do with the ministry. Cocoa producer OFI in Koog aan de Zaan made its agreement with environmental movement MOB and the local environmental department.

The process is complicated because the remaining 17 polluters fall under different ministers, who are each conducting their own negotiations, which do not always centre on nitrogen reduction specifically.

A spokesman for energy minister Rob Jetten said ongoing efforts to make power plants greener would automatically include measures to lower nitrogen while the infrastructure ministry is in talks with waste processors, four of which are on the list, to reduce the amount of waste being burned.

The promise by the cabinet not to single out farmers, who make up the vast majority on the list, but to tackle industry as well came about after pressure from MPs.

Share this article
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
  • Copy URL
Environment Industry
Thank you for donating to DutchNews.nl.

We could not provide the Dutch News service, and keep it free of charge, without the generous support of our readers. Your donations allow us to report on issues you tell us matter, and provide you with a summary of the most important Dutch news each day.

Make a donation
Latest
Show more
AEX falls as Trump threatens 50% import tariff on European goods
Dutch forensic experts develop deepfake video detector
Zaanstad says yes to tourist tickets for Zaanse Schans windmills
Fewer international child abductions by parents last year
Weekend brings showers and cooler weather, sun still possible
NewsHomeEconomyArt and cultureSportEuropeSocietyEnvironmentHealthHousingEducation
Life in the NetherlandsLatestOpinionBooksTravel10 QuestionsLearning DutchInburgering with DNFood & DrinkAsk us anything
About usTeamDonateAdvertiseWriting for Dutch NewsContact usPrivacyNewsletter
© 2025 DutchNews | Cookie settings

Help us to keep providing you information about coronavirus in the Netherlands.

Many thanks to everyone who has donated to DutchNews.nl in recent days!

We could not provide this service without you. If you have not yet made a contribution, you can do so here.

The DutchNews.nl team

Donate now

Dutchnews Survey

Please help us making DutchNews.nl a better read by taking part in a short survey.

Take part now