We recently received incredible news from one of our coalition partners in the Netherlands, Comité Schone Lucht (Clean Air Committee): after six years of relentless campaigning against the proposed Vattenfall biomass power plant in Diemen, the company has withdrawn its application for a nature permit. This is a major victory for forests across Europe. By sharing the strategies behind this success, we hope to inspire civil society organizations across the EU to take similar action in their own countries.

What Was Planned in Diemen?

In 2018, NUON/Vattenfall began the permitting process for a biomass power plant that would supply heat to Amsterdam. The plan required both an environmental permit and a nature permit due to the intended burning of waste wood and primary woody biomass. An environmental impact assessment was also necessary.

In 2019, legal actions spearheaded by Mobilisation for the Environment (MOB) and Comité Schone Lucht sought to block construction. Their case was bolstered by scientific consensus that large-scale biomass burning accelerates climate change, drives deforestation, and causes biodiversity loss. These groups argued that primary woody biomass should not be classified as a renewable energy source and that the plant would damage the environment, including a nearby Natura 2000 site.

Reflecting on the campaign, we’ve identified three key lessons that contributed to the successful halt of the project.

1. Creative and Focused Litigation

The EU Renewable Energy Directive had allowed room for biomass-based energy, but Dutch civil society organizations zeroed in on national legislation to challenge the plant’s permits.

After initial court rulings in 2022 upheld the permits, MOB and Comité Schone Lucht escalated the case to the Council of State. On 30 August 2023, the Council overturned the previous ruling and annulled the environmental permit.

The nature permit challenge focused on nitrogen emissions. Campaigners argued that the plant’s proximity to the Naardermeer Natura 2000 site—managed by Natuurmonumenten—necessitated a proper impact assessment. Citing Article 6.3 of the Habitats Directive:

“Any plan or project not directly connected with or necessary to the management of the site but likely to have a significant effect thereon, either individually or in combination with other plans or projects, shall be subject to appropriate assessment of its implications for the site in view of the site’s conservation objectives.”

The civil society organizations successfully demonstrated the biomass plant’s likely harm to the Natura 2000 site. Eventually, Vattenfall itself withdrew its request for a nature permit.

2. Cooperate with Others Who Share Your Goals

The second cornerstone of this victory was collaboration. Each NGO brought unique expertise to the table. MOB specializes in nitrogen emission regulations and the EU Water Framework Directive. Comité Schone Lucht focuses on woody biomass and led the public campaign effort. Natuurmonumenten, the manager of the affected Natura 2000 site, also joined the effort.

This united front was vital to Vattenfall’s withdrawal and, ultimately, the preservation of €395 million in public subsidies that would have been spent on a false climate solution.

3. Involve The Local Community In Your Campaign

From the beginning in 2019, Comité Schone Lucht led a grassroots campaign that never lost momentum. Their efforts included a children’s march to Vattenfall, extensive media outreach, and numerous articles in national newspapers.

Director of the Clean Air Committee, dr. Fenna Swart, brought authenticity and trust to the campaign. Public support grew as awareness increased about the environmental harm associated with sourcing wood from overseas and the Baltic region. People also learned that biomass combustion would impact Dutch nature reserves like Naardermeer and Oostelijke Vechtplassen through the precipitation of nitrogen, hydrochloric acid, fluoride, dioxins, and heavy metals.

This victory is a beacon of hope. We encourage others across Europe to take inspiration from this campaign and consider similar efforts to halt destructive biomass projects. Working together, we can protect forests, biodiversity, and climate integrity.