Guide to 'Environmental pressure' section

All sorts of undesirable substances are released during the production and consumption of goods, the transport of goods and people, and the use of resources such as water, energy and timber. The release (emission) of these substances into the soil, water and air, or the disposal of waste by means of incineration or landfill, place a burden on the environment (environmental pressure).

Index Environmental pressure

• Guide to emissions to air, water and soil
  This section discusses emissions for the entire Dutch economy by compartment. It also describes the current policy objectives for each indicator.
• Guide to 'Emissions and waste by target sector' section
  The environmental policy makes a distinction between some ten target sectors within the Dutch economy. Objectives have been set for each of the target sectors with the aim of reducing the environmental pressure (target sector policy).
• Guide to the 'Environmental pressure by theme' section
  In the first National Environmental Policy Plan (VROM, 1989), the government of the time set out the theme-based environment policy. An environmental theme is the common denominator of a set of closely linked problems such as climate change, acidification and eutrophication. You will find the emissions for each environmental theme, where possible tested against current policy objectives.
• Guide to 'Environment and economy (NAMEA)' section
  Statistics Netherlands has developed a system (NAMEA) for describing environmental aspects in conjunction with the National Accounts (standardised statistics relating to the economy). This system shows the relationships between a number of important economic indicators (gross domestic product, balance of payments etc.) and emissions, waste and energy use.

Position of environmental pressure in the environmental chain

Explanation of environmental chain

The increasing population, the volume of production and consumption and the use of resources are all classified in the Environmental Data Compendium under 'societal developments'. They are the basic source of pressure on the environment.
During the production and consumption of goods, we use raw materials and energy, and all sorts of substances are released which burden the environment. The release (emission) of these substances into the soil, water and air, and the disposal of waste by means of incineration or landfill are known as environmental pressure.
Emissions result in increases in the levels of substances in soil, water or air. Emissions also affect the quality of the living environment (smog, noise, odours). The extraction of water and the position and extent of high-risk activities such as aviation, LPG stations and firework factories also affect the condition of the environment. We refer to this condition as the quality of the environment.

References

• VROM (1989). First National Environmental Policy Plan. Tweede Kamer, 1988-1989, 21137, nos. 1-2. Sdu Uitgeverij, The Hague.