Dutch Court Orders Government to Cut Nitrogen Pollution by 2030 After Greenpeace Victory, €10M Fine at Stake

Jan 22, 2025, 08:07 AM

A Dutch court in The Hague has ruled in favor of Greenpeace in a significant nitrogen pollution case, ordering the Dutch government to reduce nitrogen emissions in half of the country's nitrogen-sensitive natural areas by the end of 2030. The court's decision includes a penalty of €10 million if the government fails to meet these targets. The ruling comes after Greenpeace argued that the government had not prioritized reducing nitrogen pollution, which is detrimental to vulnerable habitats. The case highlights the ongoing nitrogen crisis in the Netherlands, which has been a contentious issue for nearly six years, affecting the country's natural environment and prompting political debate.