Economic Outlook for Amsterdam Metropolitan Area 2020

CE Delft has contributed to the Economic Outlook for Amsterdam Metropolitan Area (Duch), teaming up with SEO to write the new Chapter 5, on economy and environment, which has the following main conclusions:

• In the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area (AMA) housing, industry, heat and power generation, recreation and nature are in increasing competition for scarce land. Balancing the various claims on available space is becoming ever harder, necessitating hard-fought choices.
• This shortage of space is beginning to cause problems, particularly with respect to housing. The housing shortage is leading to increased commuter traffic flows and congestion, with their attendant environmental footprint.
• Despite above-average economic growth, the AMA has reduced CO2 emissions. This decoupling in absolute terms is a first step in the transition towards climate-neutral energy systems. The speed with which renewable energy is being developed in the AMA is still insufficient to secure the 14% national reduction target for 2020, though.
• Transitioning to a circular economy involves major challenges. Nonetheless, the AMA is already achieving initial results in reducing and processing domestic refuse. Much of it is still incinerated or landfilled, however, and there is still little utilisation of residual waste streams.
• The corona crisis is likely to lead to a decrease in environmental footprints and land claims. This is only a temporary trend, though: once it is over, both will increase again.