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22 - Costs and benefits of nitrogen in the environment
- from Part V - European nitrogen policies and future challenges
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- By Corjan Brink, Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency, Hans van Grinsven, Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency, Brian H. Jacobsen, University of Copenhagen, Ari Rabl, ARMINES/Ecoles des Mines de Paris, Ing-Marie Gren, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Mike Holland, University of Reading, Zbigniew Klimont, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Kevin Hicks, University of York, Roy Brouwer, VU University Amsterdam, Roald Dickens, Department for the Environment Food and Rural Affairs, Jaap Willems, Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency, Mette Termansen, University of Aarhus, Gerard Velthof, Wageningen University and Research Centre, Rob Alkemade, Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency, Mark van Oorschot, Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency, Jim Webb, AEA Energy and Environment
- Edited by Mark A. Sutton, NERC Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, UK, Clare M. Howard, NERC Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, UK, Jan Willem Erisman, Gilles Billen, Albert Bleeker, Peringe Grennfelt, Hans van Grinsven, Bruna Grizzetti
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- Book:
- The European Nitrogen Assessment
- Published online:
- 16 May 2011
- Print publication:
- 14 April 2011, pp 513-540
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- Chapter
- Export citation
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Summary
Executive summary
Nature of the problem
Single issue policies have been an effective means of reducing reactive nitrogen (Nr) emissions in the EU, but to make further reductions more-integrated approaches are required.
Approaches
This chapter shows how cost–benefit analysis (CBA) can provide guidance for the setting of new policy priorities for the abatement of the European Nr emissions from an integrated perspective.
Data on costs and benefits of Nr-abatement, including four national and regional case studies, are reviewed and made comparable by expression in euro per kg of added Nr (agriculture) or euro per kg of reduced Nr emission (unit cost approach).
Social cost estimates are based on Willingness to Pay (WTP) for human life or health, for ecosystem services and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction.
Key findings
The total annual Nr-related damage in EU27 ranges between 70 and 320 billion Euro, equivalent to 150–750 euro/capita, of which about 75% is related to health damage and air pollution. This damage cost constitutes 1%–4% of the average European income.
Inferred social costs of health impacts from NOx are highest (10–30 euro per kg of pollutant-Nr emission). Health costs from secondary ammonium particles (2–20 euro/kg N), from GHG balance effects of N2O (5–15 euro/kg N), from ecosystem impacts via N-runoff (5–20 euro/kg N) and by N-deposition (2–10 euro/kg N) are intermediate. Costs of health impacts from NO3 in drinking water (0–4 euro/kg N) and by N2O via stratospheric ozone depletion (1–3 euro/kg N) are estimated to be low.
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