Relocation of pig production between provinces (224 NUTS2 regions) within the EU27 can reduce the total external costs of nitrogen pollution by about 10% (14 billion €). Eligible regions for decreasing the pig stock were in western Germany, Flemish region, Denmark, the...
The five Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSP) show similar global crop P uptake and P inputs, despite differences in population and incomes. In the sustainability scenario SSP1, the increase in P uptake comes entirely from increased production per hectare, with varying...
Only under the most optimistic sustainability scenario, the global synthetic fertilizer use in croplands stabilizes or even shrinks in the coming decades. In the most pessimistic fragmentation scenario, synthetic fertilization application rates are expected to increase almost...
Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) loading of global aquatic ecosystems has doubled during the 20th century and at the same time has the nutrient composition been disturbed by increasing proportions of inorganic forms from 30 to 43% for N and from 56 to 65% for P. This is one of...
At least once every 5 years Dutch Parliament receives a report about the efficiency and the effects of the Manure and Fertilisers Act. In the report it is concluded that the manure policy has not improved the Dutch water quality substantially in the past 10 years.
There are no substitutes for micronutrients which are indispensable for plant growth and the human diet; nevertheless low concentrations of these elements in African soils are looming and a cause for concern. In this PBL study, we determined the potential size of the demand...
A PBL study explores how a lack of soil micronutrients puts countries in Sub-Sahara Africa at risk. A range of metals and minerals is essential to sustainably increase agricultural production. Though needed in small quantities, they are not substitutable in plant growth, and...
As part of the Openness project, new EU scenarios focusing on natural capital and ecosystem services were developed. These were applied at different regional socio-environmental conditions. Stakeholders evaluated scenarios mostly positive regarding applicability and usefulness.
The pressure on land is growing in many regions of the world, due to the increasing demand for arable crops, meat and dairy products, bio-energy and timber, and is exacerbated by land degradation and climate change. This policy report provides scenario projections for the...
Reducing hunger while staying within planetary boundaries of pollution, land use and fresh water use is one of the most urgent sustainable development goals. It is imperative to understand future food demand, the agricultural system, and the interactions with other natural...
