By implementing circular measures, the government sees a potential to reduce 2 to 4 Mtonne CO2 by 2030. These measures can contribute to the government’s target of achieving 55% emission reduction by 2030. In this context, CE Delft calculated the CO2 emission reductions of 12 circular policies for the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management (Ministerie van Infrastructuur en Waterstaat).
The total effect of the measures is likely to be in the range of at least 2.6 to 2.8 Mtonne global emissions reduction. The reduction on Dutch land territory is more uncertain. This is due to the fact that circular measures involve the entire production chain, and it may therefore be possible to avoid emission reductions by sourcing primary materials and performing waste incineration across borders.
The policy package considered in this report may lead to changes in the growth of materials production and fossil waste incineration. According to the KEV methodology, these parameters can be adjusted in the modelling. This allows the policy package to be assigned an emissions effect, provided it is also clear what alternative materials production can be expected in the Netherlands.