Samenvatting

The aim of this research was to find out in how far the Netherlands could learn from Sweden regarding the use of manure, in order to create awareness within the equine sector on sustainable solutions. The number of horses in Europe exceeds 5 million and keeps increasing, therefore contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Each horse produces about 20kg of manure every day, containing nitrogen and ammonia, which could be handled in a more sustainable way. Research institutes in Sweden have researched sustainability, concluding that incinerating manure is the best possible solution. Unfortunately incineration is expensive and can’t be done at a small scale with the current technology, therefore solutions are sought to cooperate with larger scale farms. Incineration is environmentally friendly due to its full use of material and gases that are converted into energy and digestates. The willingness to change and pay for sustainable solutions is more complicated. A survey that was spread in the Dutch equine sector amongst 20 stable owners showed that a three quarter of the respondents was unwilling to change towards more sustainable solutions, money and time are big factors that are holding them back. In this case incineration would be too big of an investment, but it could provide them with heat and electricity. The Swedish equine sector lacked research on willingness, but stables have already implemented sustainable solutions, which showed a more active attitudethan the Netherlands. Culture is part of the willingness, values and beliefs influence how people act and think. Sweden scores an 8th place on the environmental performance index as a very feminine country and hold a positive and optimistic attitude towards the future. However they not assertive to start something new or innovate. The Netherlands scores an 11th place on the environmental performance index and has a less feminine society than Sweden. They are independent and entrepreneurial, but lack willingness to pay and are pragmatic about the future. The Dutch society resists towards climate policies and their pragmatic attitude holds them back from changing. In conclusion the Netherlands could learn from Sweden to hold a more optimistic attitude towards the future and towards sustainable solutions. It is recommended to investigate how to make incineration of manure a more viable solution in the Netherlands by doing research and by forming cooperations with larger farms or landfills.