CE Delft was founded in 1978 as a non-profit organisation with no subsidies. CE Delft is recognised for its experience and expertise by a wide range of clients, including governments, companies, and national and international social organisations, who value its independent approach.
The Climate Crisis Policy Team was formed by a broad group of experts and professors as a prelude to an outbreak management team (OMT) for climate concerns. The team urged the new government to introduce a CO2 budget system for greenhouse gas emissions and to have consumers and companies pay for CO2 emissions (in addition to the ETS for industry). Citizens and business who encounter problems as a result of this should receive temporary income supplementation, without amending or weakening the energy/climate policy. The recommendations focus on the introduction of a quick and effective policy to achieve the agreed climate objectives.
CE Delft celebrates its 40th anniversary at Kunstmuseum Den Haag. CE Delft recommends an external costs charge whereby the price of CO2 emissions is reflected in the price of products.
In other words: the polluter pays! But not always… The external costs charge (ECC) puts the burden where it belongs: on the consumers for whom the polluting products are made. So the laws of economics are used to combat climate change: those who pollute or buy polluting products must pay the price.
In 2007, CE Delft drafted a plan to halve CO2 emissions by 2030 at the request of six major trade unions and environmental NGOs. This plan was developed in collaboration with various parties under the guidance of a committee of professors and representatives from the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment, and the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency.
At the heart of the plan was the introduction of a system of emission allowances for all energy consumers, either individually (industry, electrical power generation and aviation) or collectively (built environment and transport). The allowances for all three systems would be auctioned rather than issued. In addition, efficiency standards would be introduced for vehicles, buildings (new and existing) and appliances.
With climate change a bleak reality, the pressing question is how to get citizens and companies to stop using fossil fuel.
Failing to prioritise the environment will ultimate be at the expense of economic growth.
Pleidooi voor een Nederlandse energieheffing (‘Plea for Dutch energy taxation’) was published in 1992. This was followed five years later by Appels, peren en mileumaatregelen (‘Apples, oranges and environmental measures’).
In 1981, CE Delft moved to its current location on Oude Delft.
CE Delft was founded on the conviction that society needs independent advice and recommendations.
Theo Potma, a man with a mission, laid the foundation for a very special agency in 1978. CE Delft has since been joined by other companies in what were once unique fields. While many of our skills may no longer be unique, we do have one defining characteristic: a motivation borne from our commitment to the global environment.
Download our 40th anniversary book here (PDF).