It was brought by the Dutch branch of Greenpeace against the State of the Netherlands, arguing that the government's efforts to reduce nitrogen emissions were insufficient to adhere to its goals to protect nitrogen-sensitive nature in Natura 2000 reserves.

[1][2] In July 2023, environmental organization Greenpeace filed a civil case in the District Court of The Hague against the Dutch government, as it believed that the plans of the fourth Rutte cabinet to tackle the nitrogen crisis were insufficient.

[3][6] On 12 November 2024, the first day of hearings in the civil case, Greenpeace softened its initial demand, calling for 75% of nitrogen-sensitive nature in reserves to fall below the critical load by 2025, increasing to 90% by 2030.

[1] Andy Palmen, the executive director of Greenpeace Netherlands, referred to the verdict as a "celebration for nature", and he declared that it would finally bring clarity to society and businesses following the government's pushing forward of measures.

[8] Agriculture minister Femke Wiersma was disappointed by the ruling, and she stated that the cabinet would work on an approach to tackle the nitrogen crisis that considers the societal impact of measures.

[9] Two months before the verdict, in December 2024, the Administrative Jurisdiction Division of the Council of State had ruled that unused nitrogen emission rights could no longer be allocated to other construction and expansion projects.

[8] On 24 January 2025, in response to both rulings, Prime Minister Dick Schoof announced a ministerial committee on economy and nature restoration, aiming to deliver a plan within two months.