Abstract

Thanks to the Netherlands environmental policy, environmental pressure has declined in the last few years. The present proposed and intended policy efforts are, however, insufficient if the decline in emissions is to be retained in the decades after 2000. Production and consumption are increasing; transport and distribution functions, as well as the intensification in agriculture/factory farming, continue to play a substantial role. In the light of these developments great efforts will be necessary to bring about decreased CO2 levels. The NOx, NH3, phosphate and nitrogen emission levels also remain higher than intended. In view of the expected growth in the economy up to 2020, technological breakthroughs will be needed to realise the anticipated emission reductions. The target reductions for CO2 and NH3 can only be accomplished through considerable efforts in the areas of regulation, price measures and/or government investments. International coordination will be essential to achieving reductions in CO2 and NOx. The major concerns for the coming decades are climate change, conservation of natural areas, noise nuisance, air pollution in towns and cities, and drinking-water quality. Eutrophication , desiccation and use of pesticides keep the sectors for agriculture, nature conservation and groundwater catchment in a mutual state of conflict. Traffic in the cities continues to threaten desired environmental quality in the residential areas, for instance, due to emission of harmful chemical compounds and noise pollution. Another kind of spatial planning of activities to supplement technical measures may be the answer to further improving local environmental quality.