Emissions of transboundary air pollutants in the Netherlands, 1990–2015: Netherlands Informative Inventory Report 2017

Dutch emission trends

The report describes Dutch emission trends and levels of sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOC), ammonia (NH3), carbon monoxide (CO), particulate matter (PM), heavy metals, and persistent organic pollutants (POPs), over the 1990–2015 period. For all these substances, emission levels have decreased. The downward trend may be attributed, in particular, to cleaner fuels, cleaner car engines and to emission reductions in industrial sectors.

The Netherlands in compliance with EU emission ceilings

In 2015, ammonia emissions increased in the Netherlands, compared with 2014 levels. This was caused by increases in the number of cattle and the use of fertiliser. Total ammonia emissions reported in last year’s report over the period between 1990 and 2015, have been adjusted downwards, on the basis of new insights into the emission levels of various emission sources, such as fertiliser. As such, the Netherlands are now in compliance with the national emission ceiling for ammonia, as set by the European Union, which entered into force in 2010. Emissions of nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxides and non-methane volatile organic compounds have continued to decrease, slightly. For these substances, the Netherlands are in compliance with EU emission ceilings.