Nitrogen (N2) is a colorless and odorless gas that is all around us. About 78% of all air consists of nitrogen. Nitrogen in itself is not harmful to humans and the environment. But there are also nitrogen compounds in the air that can be harmful to people 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) mainly end up in the air due to exhaust fumes from traffic and industrial emissions.
Ammonia (NH3) mainly comes from animals in livestock farming. A small part comes from other sources such as industry, construction and traffic. Farmers use animal manure and fertilizers to fertilize their land. Some of the manure evaporates as ammonia and 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
