Acidifying substances: emissions by target sector in the Netherlands, 2002*

Agriculture and horticulture make the largest contribution to acidification, mainly through emissions of ammonia. The Traffic and transport sector emits most nitrogen oxide. Industry is responsible for the most sulphur dioxide emissions.

Contribution of target sectors to acid emissions

The Agriculture and horticulture target sector contributes most to acidification, accounting for 91% of total ammonia (NH₃) emissions. Traffic makes a sizeable contribution (67%) to total emissions of nitrogen oxides (NO_x) and accounts for about a quarter of total sulphur dioxide (SO₂) emissions. The introduction of the catalytic converter means that the Traffic and transport sector is now also a minor source of NH₃ emissions.

Policy

The fourth National Environmental Policy Plan (NEPP4) includes emission targets for 2010 for each target sector (VROM, 2001). The target for the Agriculture and horticulture sector is a reduction in emissions from 147 million kg (in 2000) to 86 million kg in 2010. The aim for NO_X emissions from the Traffic and transport sector is a reduction from 283 million kg (in 2000) naar 150 million kg in 2010.

Technical note

For descriptions of the calculation method, the reader is referred to the meta-information for the Emissiemonitor.

References

• CCDM (2003). Emissiemonitor. Jaarcijfers 2001 en ramingen 2002. Datawarehouse-Emissieregistratie. Coördinatiecommissie Doelgroepmonitoring, The Hague.
• VROM (2001). National Environmental Policy Plan 4. Working on sustainability: Where there's a will there's a world. Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment, The Hague.

Relevant sections and indicators in the Environmental Data Compendium

• Acidification and transboundary air pollution: causes and impact
• Acidification and transboundary air pollution: policy
• Acidifying substances: emissions 1990-2002
• Acidifying substances: emissions by target sector in the Netherlands, 2002*
• Guide to emissions to air, water and soil
• Emissions to air by target sector, 2002*
• See the Guide to surface water quality and the Guide to groundwater quality for the consequences of acid emissions for the quality of the environment.
• Guide to impact of environmental pressure on nature section, with a reference to four indicators about the impact of acidification and eutrophication on nature.

Relevant information outside of the Environmental Data Compendium

• Recent emission data and descriptions of the calculation methods used (meta-information) can be viewed in detail on the Data Warehouse of the 'Emissieregistratie' website.
• Emission data can also be found on Statline of Statistics Netherlands.