Dutch abiogenic emissions of methane and nitrous oxide and options for emission reduction

Abiogenic emissions contribute to about half of the total Dutch emissions of methane and nitrous oxide. In the Netherlands, options for reducing methane emissions from landfills and from the oil and gas system are identified and are being implemented at this moment. As a result of existing waste policy, formation and emission of methane will be gradually phased our. in the next century. In de mean-time methane emissions are reduced by landfill gas recovery. Emission from the oil and gas production, transport and distribution will be gradually reduced as a result of various process adaptions. The overall result is, that methane emissions will be significantly decreased in the near future. With respect to nitrous oxide, options for emission reduction are not investigated that well. The production of nitric acid seems to be a promising opportunity for reducing Dutch methane emissions with about 40%, when adequate technology becomes available.