How to interpret the emissiondata

This page explains the various limitations in the quality of our emission data.

• Embargo sheet: why some data are not shown
• Methodologies used to determine emissions
• Uncertainties in the emissions presented

Embargo sheet

In some cases the emissions of certain compounds are incomplete, or we don't have a clear picture of the allocation in the Netherlands. This embargo sheet shows these exceptions.

No spatial distribution of pesticide emissions from agriculture

This year, in consultation with Wageningen Environmental Research (WenR) and Deltares, it was decided not to publish a spatial distribution for the time being of pesticide emissions from agriculture. Spatial distributions in previous years were based on the 2008 NMI3 model. The results of NMI3 are suitable for generating trends and relative differences between applications of the same type. However, the results of NMI3 are not suitable for statements about emissions and / or risks at a specific location and at a specific time.
In collaboration with WenR, Deltares and CBS are currently implementing a new method that incorporates the most recent insights and where the spatial level of detail reflects the uncertainties within the basic data and models used. These new data are expected to become available in the course of 2021, so that they will be published as soon as possible via the website of the Emission Registration. National totals for pesticide emissions from agriculture can be requested.

The symbol indicates no limitations, the symbol implies that no information is shown at all from this compounds at this level, while indicates some restrictions, further explained - as a tooltip - when you point the symbol.

Pollutant	NL total	NL per (sub)sector	NL per emissie source	Allocated total	Allocated per emission source	Allocated per (sub)sector	Facilities
Greenhouse gasesto air				1	1	1
Greenhouse gasesto air IPCC							n.v.t.
NEC air pollutants				1+2	1+2	1+2
EMEP/UNECE air pollutants	2	2	2	1+2	1+2	1+2
Priority substances to air	2	2	2	1+2	1+2	1+2
Pollutants to water and air
N- and P-total to soil							N/A
Cu, Cd, Zn and Pb to soil				3	3	3	N/A

1. Most detailed level (1x1km) only available in 2015, 2017 and 2018 for CO₂, NH₃, NO_x, Particulate Matter (PM₁₀, PM_2.5) and SO₂, all years up to target subgroup .
   Agricultural sector : a) NH₃ 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015, 2017 and 2018: most detailed level 5x5km, 2000 and 2005 only up to target group; b) CH₄, N₂O: only for the years 2015, 2017 and 2018; c) PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 are shown for 2010, 2015, 2016 and 2017; d) Pesticides are shown only for 2005, 2010, 2015, 2016 en 2017 . Wastedisposal (CH₄, NH₃, NO_x , N₂O, SO₂) only shown for 2010, 2015, 2016 and 2017.
2. For exceptions see the report about priority substances Emissies van prioritaire stoffen naar lucht in Nederland 1990-2005 (Peek 2008) Attachment I, table B1, see also the table below.
3. Pesticides: No spatially distributed data available yet for agriculture

Top

Methodologies, protocols and factsheets used

How the emissions are determined is briefly discussed in the methods, with a detailed explanation given in the so-called methodology reports. You can locate all the documents via the documentation menu. You can locate all the documents via the Search bar above, which will lead you directly to the relevant methodology, factsheet or protocol.

Top

Uncertainties in emissions

The uncertainties in emissions are significant and will even increase after allocating them spatially (see also the remarks in the description of the emission calculations). Three studies were carried out to quantify the uncertainties: two on greenhouse gas emissions and one focussing on acidifying compounds (NO_x, SO₂ and NH₃ and large-scale air pollution. Reports on the studies are available here.

Pollutant or environmental theme	Uncertainty in the national total	Methodology
CO2	±3%	Tier 1
CH4	±25%	Tier 1
N2O	±50%	Tier 1
Fluor gases (F-gases)	±50%	Tier 1
CO2-equivalents (theme greenhousegases)	±5%	Tier 1
NH3	±17%	Tier 2
NOx	±15%	Tier 2
SO2	±6%	Tier 2
Acid equivalents (theme accidification)	±10%	Tier 2

Top

Improvements for next release

• Incorrect data sea shipping emissions
  Unfortunately, an error has occurred concerning sea shipping emissions 2013. Within the 12-mile zone, no emissions are shown on the map, which is not correct. Furthermore, total emissions from the sources ‘Anchored NCP, Other ships’ and ‘Sailing NCP, Other ships’ are too high as some of the emissions for fisheries are also partly included here. Adjustments will be made when the website is updated (May/June 2016). Meanwhile, an email can be send using the contactform to obtain the correct emission data.

Top