Flanders: 35 percent less nitrogen emissions than ten years ago

According to the Progress Report on the Programmatic Approach to Nitrogen, nitrogen oxide emissions in Flanders have fallen by 35 percent between 2015 and 2022, and ammonia emissions have fallen by 9 percent in those seven years. Environment Minister Jo Brouns presented the report on Friday, March 21st.

Nitrogen oxides (80%) mainly come from the transport, energy, and industry sectors, while ammonia primarily comes from the agricultural sector (96%).

Downward trend

The downward trend in nitrogen oxides is strongly related to the greening of the vehicle fleet (-59%), while the decrease in ammonia emissions is mainly due to the decline in stable emissions.

“The challenge now is to build on this downward trend and achieve our reduction targets,” says Brouns. “It is important that, in return for these solid efforts, there is also a perspective for the entrepreneurs involved.” He intends to evolve from a precipitation model to an emissions model.

Realistic ambition

The Flemish government aims for 40% less ammonia emissions and 45% less nitrogen oxide emissions by 2030. According to the report, this ambition is realistic for nitrogen oxides. However, agriculture still seems to have a long way to go.

According to the farmer’s union Boerenbond, the figures prove that agriculture needs a policy different from the nitrogen decree 2024, which threatens our entire sustainable Flemish food production system.

Geopolitically uncertain times

“If our Flemish consumers want to continue to enjoy local, quality food products at an affordable price in the long term, we must now offer the sector more perspective, with innovation and sustainable techniques,” Boerenbond president Lode Ceysens concludes. “In these geopolitically uncertain times, this is more necessary than ever,” Jo Brouns adds.