We can get rid of the nitrogen lock, the question is whether politicians want it

New housing developments, roads, farms: small chance that they will be licensed. The reason? Nitrogen. The Netherlands is locked and the key seems far out of reach. But it is not that hopeless, argues 'nitrogen professor' Jan Willem Erisman.

He has been researching nitrogen for forty years. 'And still I haven't solved the current problem,' says Jan Willem Erisman. He grins - albeit a bit like a farmer with a toothache.

Erisman has been professor of Environment and Sustainability at Leiden University since 2020, where he focuses on nitrogen. Forty years ago, he thought it was mainly of scientific interest. For example, we still know relatively little about what the precise role of nitrogen is in biological processes.

In the meantime, the social relevance of his position is also enormous. The lingering nitrogen issue has gripped the Netherlands for decades. In January the court ruled that the government must do much more to limit nitrogen emissions. Otherwise, the state risks a €10 million penalty.

In the meantime, our country is almost completely "locked in. New projects in (agricultural) construction that emit nitrogen rarely receive permits. Residential construction and renewable energy projects also suffer.