Greenpeace Netherlands sued the Dutch state in the District Court of The Hague, alleging that it fails to stop nitrogen deposition from damaging protected Natura 2000 nature. On January 22, 2025, the court ordered the State to meet its statutory target for 2030, on pain of a €10M penalty. The State and Stichting Stikstof Claim, a farmers’ foundation, have appealed, and Greenpeace seeks a higher target from the Court of Appeal of The Hague.
Latest development Jun 1, 2026
On June 1, 2026, Greenpeace said that it had asked the Court of Appeal of The Hague to raise the 2030 target. It wants at least 74% of nitrogen-sensitive nature brought below critical deposition values. The State argues that the 2030 target is not feasible. The parties have asked the court to schedule a hearing.
Why it matters
The appeal will decide whether Dutch courts can hold the State to its own statutory nitrogen targets under the EU Habitats Directive. If the order stands, the State must cut nitrogen deposition faster, mainly from livestock farming, by the end of 2030.
Background
Nitrogen deposition, much of it ammonia from livestock farming, damages habitats in the Natura 2000 areas protected under the EU Habitats Directive. Dutch law set targets of 40% of nitrogen-sensitive habitat below its critical deposition value by 2025% and 50% by 2030. On July 12, 2023, Greenpeace Netherlands sued the State of the Netherlands in the District Court of The Hague in a collective action. It sought a declaration that the State acts unlawfully. It also asked for an order to reach 74% by 2030, as the Remkes advisory committee had advised, or at least the statutory 50%.
On December 27, 2023, the court allowed Stichting Stikstof Claim, which represents farmers, to join on the State’s side. It held Greenpeace admissible on March 13, 2024. A separate request by Greenpeace for interim relief was rejected on June 6, 2024. The State argued that the measures needed are for the legislature, not the courts, and pointed to measures taken and in preparation. The court heard the case on November 12, 2024.
On January 22, 2025, the court held that the State acts unlawfully. It had failed to stop the deterioration of the most urgent habitats, was not meeting the 2025 target, and was very likely to miss the 2030 target. It ordered the State to bring 50% of nitrogen-sensitive habitat below critical deposition values by December 31, 2030, giving priority to the most urgent areas. A one-time penalty of €10M applies if the target is missed. The court rejected the 74% target and a penalty of €100,000 a day, and it declared the order provisionally enforceable.
On April 11, 2025, the government told parliament that it would appeal, and Stichting Stikstof Claim also appealed. On appeal, the State argues that the 2030 target cannot be met in the time left. Greenpeace asks the Court of Appeal of The Hague to raise the target to 74% and relies on a feasibility study by Ecorys. By May 2026, the parties had asked the court to schedule a hearing.
Timeline 8 events
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AppealGreenpeace asks Court of Appeal to raise the 2030 target to 74%
Greenpeace relied on an Ecorys feasibility study. It said the State and Stichting Stikstof Claim had replied and that the parties had asked the court to schedule a hearing.
Greenpeace Netherlands (June 1, 2026)Greenpeace Netherlands appeal summary (May 2026)Nieuwe Oogst (June 2, 2026)
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AppealDutch government decides to appeal the nitrogen judgment
The appeal does not suspend the order, which the District Court declared provisionally enforceable.
Government of the Netherlands (April 11, 2025)District Court of The Hague (ECLI:NL:RBDHA:2025:578)
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JudgmentCourt orders the State to meet its 2030 nitrogen target
The State must bring 50% of nitrogen-sensitive habitat below critical deposition values by December 31, 2030, prioritizing the most urgent areas, or pay a €10M penalty.
District Court of The Hague (ECLI:NL:RBDHA:2025:578)NOS (January 22, 2025)
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HearingDistrict Court of The Hague hears the nitrogen case
The hearing was broadcast by livestream. The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) gave a presentation to the court.
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JudgmentCourt rejects Greenpeace’s separate request for interim relief
Greenpeace had sought faster cuts in deposition on the most urgent habitats by 2025, or at least 2028, while the main case was pending.
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JudgmentDistrict Court of The Hague holds Greenpeace’s collective claim admissible
The interim judgment also ordered an oral hearing on the merits.
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OrderCourt lets Stichting Stikstof Claim join on the State’s side
The foundation represents farmers who would be affected by additional nitrogen measures.
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FilingGreenpeace sues the Dutch state over nitrogen deposition
The summons sought orders requiring the State to bring set shares of nitrogen-sensitive nature below critical deposition values by 2025 and 2030, backed by penalty payments.
District Court of The Hague (ECLI:NL:RBDHA:2025:578)Summons (Rechtspraak)