Circulaire economie en biodiversiteit (WOT-04-010-045.03)

The reduction of footprints of the Dutch consumption require a major effort from society and the food system in particular. A transition towards a circular economy is considered to be a crucial way to achieve this goal. The Dutch government aims at halving the (ecological) footprint of consumption in 2050. The ecological footprint represents the area of fertile land and water surfaces that an individual, country or continent needs for all products to  sustain itself (food, energy and ,materials), and to process all residues of the products like waste and emissions. With circular economy strategies, economic sectors or product value chains can become more sustainable and contribute to the aim of halving footprints, like reducing energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, other emissions and the pressure on biodiversity. Circular options can be applied to all elements of the value chain, such as mining of natural resources, production of half products, the use phase and the waste phase. Natural resources can be used more efficiently by 1) reducing the demand for products or narrowing the loop , 2) extend the lifetime of products and use them more intensively (slow the loop), 3) closing the loop, and 4) substitute non-renewable resources by renewable resources. Key aspect is how to reduce footprints and the impact on biodiversity. The feasible circular options differ across economic sectors, value chains or the system of supply and demand. This study explores three case studies: the construction sector, the cotton use, and the protein transition from animal-based proteins to plan-based proteins. How can circular options halve the footprints and reduce the impact on biodiversity in the Netherlands and elsewhere? Moreover, for a selection of circular options, there are calculation exercises to support the potential reduction of footprints based on existing data and models.