Is lack of finance a barrier for the sustainability of Dutch dairy farms? An analysis of nitrogen pollution and profit

Summary

Dutch dairy farmers face multiple sustainability challenges. Over the past 50 years, declining milk prices prompted farmers to expand production, which led to increased pressure on the environment. In my PhD research I explored options for farmers to increase farm profitability and reduce nitrogen pollution and examined whether lack of finance forms a barrier for farmers to exploit these.

The most significant contribution of my research is that I look at the wider picture of improving farm performance, bringing together insights from environmental science, economics and finance. This includes answering questions like ‘What if everyone would implement the best available practices, would that largely help to reduce nitrogen pollution?’ and ‘Can farmers afford investing into cleaner technologies?’.