Overview of news items
Here you will find the news items of selected year.
22 December 2006
European Soil Directive offers the Netherlands policy flexibility and obligations
European Soil Directive offers the Netherlands policy flexibility and obligations The European Commission has made a proposal for a Framework Directive for soil protection. Many basic principles in this Directive link up with Dutch soil policy. The broad framework of the Directive offers flexibility, but also leads to uncertainty about its possible effect in concrete situations in practice involving soil sealing, loss of organic matter and salinization caused by sea level rise.
1 December 2006
Nature Balance 2006: Dutch landscapes and nature become more uniform
The Dutch countryside is losing its rural and open character and is increasingly affected by visually intrusive developments. More and more farm buildings have a purely residential function, and farming is becoming more industrial in character.
Also the Dutch nature is becoming more uniform. The numbers of characteristic plant and animal species continue to fall, although the area of wildlife habitat and protected areas has expanded and environmental conditions have improved. The EU target of halting the loss of biodiversity by 2010 probably cannot be achieved in the Netherlands.
14 November 2006
Ambitious climate policy can limit global temperature increase to 2 degrees
The EU target of limiting global temperature increase to 2 degrees can only be achieved with high certainty when greenhouse gas concentrations stabilize at low levels. Required emission reductions are technically feasible at a likely range of direct costs in the order of 1-2% of global GDP. This will require immediate action and ambitious climate policy, a broad range of options and worldwide participation in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions.
13 November 2006
Global greenhouse gas emissions increased 25% in 1990-2004 period; 4% in 2004
Recent research by the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency, in collaboration with the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the EU in Ispra, showed that global emissions of the six Kyoto greenhouse gases increased by 75% between 1970 and 2004 to about 45.000 megaton CO2-equivalents. These trends were estimated using international statistics and international emission reports.
13 November 2006
Side events at COP12 in Nairobi on integrated development and climate policies
On 13 en 14 November the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (MNP), in collaboration with partner institutes, organises two side events on options for integrated development and climate policies. At these events Dr. Bert Metz, Senior Scientist at MNP, presents the results of a international workshop held in Paris in September 2006.
13 November 2006
Website Scientific Assessment and Policy Analyses for Climate Change “WAB” now online.
On this website publications can be downloaded that were published as results of projects of this research programme on climate change. The WAB programme gathers relevant scientific information on climate change and evaluates this information for policy analysis and decision-making. Furthermore WAB analyses intentions and conclusions in the framework of international climate change negotiations on there implications.
WAB analyses and assessments present a balanced judgement of state of the art knowledge to support the selection of policy options on climate change.
13 November 2006
12th UN Climate Conference in Nairobi from 6 to 17 November
The 12th Conference of Parties to the United Nations Climate Convention ('COP12'), was held from 6 to 17 November in Nairobi. This was also the 2nd Meeting of the Parties ('MOP2') to the Kyoto Protocol. MNP supports the Netherlands government and international organisations by evaluating national policies and by international policy assessments.
To facilitate the public and media, MNP has compiled an overview of its publications on climate policy and climate change and links to other relevant sites.
13 November 2006
National Inventory Report 2006: greenhouse gas emissions in the Netherlands 1990-2004
This report, that is compiled annually by the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (MNP) of RIVM in cooperation with Statistics Netherlands (CBS), TNO and SenterNovem, has been produced to comply with commitments under the UN’s Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the European Union’s Greenhouse Gas Monitoring Mechanism.
The National Inventory Report 2006 was commissioned by the Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment (VROM) for submission under the Climate Change Convention of the UN and to the European Union.
10 November 2006
New IMAGE model integrates global change for sustainability
There is an increasing recognition in science for policy making that problems of human development and the state of the natural environment are intimately linked. This will mean creating a careful balance to achieve a more sustainable future. Enhancements to the IMAGE framework are increasing the possibilities at MNP to meet the challenges of investigating complex issues. The MNP book on IMAGE 2.4 reflects these enhancements.
8 November 2006
Influence of solar activity on the Earth’s climate limited
Conclusions arising from new research on the influence of solar radiation on climate point to the unlikelihood of being able to unambiguously explain how the temperature variations in the past centuries came about. However, the influence of variation in solar activity on climate in the long-term (since 1700) seems to be smaller than previously estimated.
3 November 2006
PhD for Willemijn Tuinstra
MNP senior scientist Willemijn Tuinstra recently obtained her doctorate at Wageningen University, the Netherlands, with a thesis entitled, 'Reducing Air Pollution in Europe: a study of boundaries between science and policy'.
11 October 2006
Easing up on the nitrate standard for drinking water not yet warranted
Why nitrate in vegetables and fruit is harmless for humans, while it can be harmful in drinking water is outlined in a recent scientific article. There is evidence, albeit scarce, that nitrate in drinking water increases health risks, in particular, the risk of colon cancer. There are still millions in rural areas of Europe and elsewhere exposed to untreated drinking water with a high a nitrate concentration from private wells. The increased potential risk for these people would seem to justify measures to tackle elevated nitrate.
14 September 2006
Proposed air quality limit values possibly not attainable
Air quality limit values for Particulate Matter (PM) proposed by the European Parliament, Commission and Council may not be attainable in time. Even with very strict emission limit values for cars and industrial installations, additional traffic policies will be needed in urban areas. Still it remains uncertain if the proposed PM-values can be realized in time everywhere in Europe. Even the proposed possibilities for derogation offer no solution. This follows from an assessment by the Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP) and the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (MNP) of the impact of the proposed changes in the consolidated EU Air Quality Directive, at the request of the European Parliament.
7 September 2006
Dutch emission of carbondioxide reduced in 2005
In 2005, the emission of the greenhouse gas carbondioxide (CO2) was lower by several percents compared to 2004. Mainly, because the energy sector used less fossil fuels, and more (+ 40%) renewable energy sources (wind, biomass) to generate electricity. Also, more electricity was imported than in 2004. CBS and MNP make this conclusion based on temporary energy and production data on 2005.
29 August 2006
MNP air quality assessments reap international praise
Recent evaluation by the international audit committee of the models used by MNP (Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency) to assess air quality in the Netherlands and analyse policy effects has yielded MNP the rating of excellent. MNP will be putting the recommendation of the committee to develop models further into concrete actions.
28 August 2006
The Water Framework Directive: challenges and chances for the Netherlands
The European Water Framework Directive stipulates that the quality of groundwater and surface water in the Netherlands should have attained an ecologically adequate level by 2015. A major national challenge is the protection and improvement of the ecological quality of the regional fresh water bodies. As to water quality, the phosphorus loads are the major obstacle for improving the ecological status of the fresh surface waters in the Netherlands.
12 July 2006
How to compare environmental performance of EU Member States
There is a growing need for comparative indicators to measure Member State’s environmental performance. To fulfill this need, MNP has developed the European Benchmark Indicators (EBI) to draw comparisons between Member States. The database is primarily meant for decision makers, but is also useful for the general public and scientists. Measurement of performance in this way, within an enlarged European Union, facilitates the improvement of policy effectiveness in a Member State and stimulates learning from the success of frontrunners.
30 June 2006
European Topic Centre on Air and Climate Change appointed to MNP
The European Environment Agency has appointed the MNP as the lead organisation in the new European Topic Centre on Air and Climate Change (ETC/ACC). Its primary tasks are to collect data on air quality and climate change in Europe and to evaluate the progress of European environmental policy. In order to carry out these tasks, the MNP has formed a consortium together with 10 European institutes.
12 June 2006
Article about the new version of the Map Comparison Kit
A new version of the Map Comparison Kit can be downloaded free of charge from the RIKS website. This is one of the novelties in the article, published in tje Journal of Environmental Modeling and Software
6 June 2006
Climate change policies beneficial for European air quality
European climate change action will benefit air pollution abatement by 2030, with costs for controlling emsissions dropping by EUR 10 billion per year. Reduced emissions will lead to a fall in damage to public health (e.g. 20 000 fewer premature deaths per year) and to ecosystems. These are the main conclusions of a European Environment Agency report, Air quality and ancillary benefits of climate change policies, co-ordinated by the MNP.
31 May 2006
EU action plan on biodiversity: apply existing instruments more effectively
Effective actions for the Netherlands to meet the targets of the EU action plan could be the further integration of nature area conservation with wider countryside management and improvement of environmental conditions for nature. Concurrently, the EU could provide an understanding of the ecological coherence of European nature areas.
15 May 2006
Corporate brochure international available
the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency links science and policy. What is the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (MNP), what are the core values, main products and expertises? The corporate brochure tells you about it.
3 May 2006
Trade-offs and synergies between energy security, economy, and the environment
Sustainable energy policies are needed in Europe to reduce air pollution and greenhouse-gas emissions. This quick scan shows that climate mitigation strategies also reduce air pollution and increase energy security, and offer chances for innovation. Hence it could improve the efficiency of EU energy policies without throwing a spanner in the wheels of Europe’s Lisbon strategy.
30 March 2006
Biodiversity further deteriorates in the next 50 year
Biodiversity loss will remain unabatedly high up to 2050, with a moderate economic growth and an increase of the world population from 6 to about 9 billon for whom the average per capita income will be three times the current value. This loss can be partly countered in the short term by extending the protected areas. This is the conclusion from an investigation carried out by the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (MNP), in preparation of the the 8th Convention on Biological Diversity (COP8), currently taking place in Curitiba, Brasil.
16 March 2006
Ingredients for the revision of the European Sustainable Development Strategy
Sustainability policy in Europe is currently dominated by the Lisbon Strategy for the promotion of more growth and jobs. This dominance represses other goals for sustainable development. Revision of the European sustainable development strategy in 2006 gives the opportunity to address the question of how to combine the Lisbon goals with other sustainable development goals.
9 March 2006
Scale of particulate matter problem smaller than previously considered
There are strong indications that the particulate matter concentration in the Netherlands is currently 10-15% less than previously observed. In the past two years, lower concentrations have been observed, although the European limit value in cities and near highways is still exceeded.
21 February 2006
Effects of Climate Change in the Netherlands
Climate change and its effects are also observable in the Netherlands. To date the effects are still limited in magnitude. This might change in the coming decades. Present trends in, for example, sea level rise and land subsidence may accelerate, leading to serious problems in the second half of the 21st century, especially in the lower-lying regions.
16 February 2006
The impact of Euro 5: facts and figures
The Euro 5 proposal from the European Commission contains new emission requirements for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles. This means that new diesel vehicles in these categories will be required to have particulate filters beginning in 2010. This is a cost-effective measure for reducing particulate matter emissions. The current proposals do not require a NOx catalyser for these diesel vehicles. However, the air quality in many European cities would benefit from such a measure.
20 January 2006
As from January 1st the Environmental Assessment Agency is independent
Following a decision by the Dutch Cabinet the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (MNP in Dutch) has become an independent agency under the Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment as from January 1st, 2006. The MNP will be organized similarly to its three sister agencies. The four agencies taken collectively cover the complete sustainability domain consisting of people, planet and profit.
