Nitrogen (N₂ ) is a colorless and odorless gas that is all around us. Approximately 78% of all air consists of nitrogen. Nitrogen itself is not harmful to humans or the environment. However, there are also nitrogen compounds in the air that can be harmful to humans and the environment. These are nitrogen oxides (NOx , a compound of nitrogen and oxygen) and ammonia (NH₃ , a compound of nitrogen and hydrogen). The amount of nitrogen oxides and ammonia in the air is called the concentration.
Nitrogen oxides (NOx ) are released into the air primarily through traffic exhaust fumes and industrial emissions.
Ammonia (NH₃ ) originates primarily from livestock. A small portion comes from other sources such as industry, construction, and traffic. Farmers use animal manure and artificial fertilizers to fertilize their land. A portion of this manure evaporates as ammonia and thus enters the air.
To properly understand the so-called 'nitrogen problem', three terms are important:
In this position paper, the NVDE outlines the adverse effects of the PAS ruling for the energy transition and offers concrete suggestions for how the sustainable energy sector can contribute to solving the nitrogen problem.
Download the report 'Costs and effects of options for national air policy' here
