Kosten-effectief verbeteren grootte en diepte voetafdruk (BO-43-206.01-013, BO-43-108-009)

KOEVOET aims to identify, evaluate and rank action-options for reducing the size (quantity of ecosystems) and depth (quality of ecosystems) of the ecological footprint to the goal in 2050 (50% reduction) at the lowest possible cost. This is based on an integrated and coherent footprint method, thereby not only considering the private costs, but also the expected public ecosystem benefits resulting from the reduction in the size and depth of the footprint.

 

The approach involves reducing the production and consumption footprint, and is developed according to the following four activities:

1. Developing a footprint method: Developing the footprint family (FF) method, which integrates the different footprints in a coherent framework and that considers the size and depth of the footprint.
2. Develop ecosystem services and valuation method: Quantify the size and depth of the footprint and, subsequently, estimate related ecosystem values.
3. Identifying action-options: Participatory identification and characterization of action-options to reduce the footprint of Dutch production and consumption.
4. Cost-effectiveness and ecosystem benefits of the action-options: Quantify the effectiveness, private costs and public benefits of action-options in order to, subsequently, identify those action-options that contribute most to reducing the size and depth of the footprint at the lowest possible cost.

 

This results in: i) Integrated, coherent and internationally accepted footprint method (based on the footprint family; of the EC and JRC), including tightened mission (not only size but also depth of footprint); ii) Evaluation of the size and depth of the footprint and the associated ecosystem services and ecosystem values; iii) Action-options for reducing the size and depth of the footprint; iv) Quantification of the expected effectiveness and private costs of action-options for reducing the size and depth of the footprint; v) Determination which action-options will achieve the objectives for improving the size and depth of the footprint at the lowest possible private costs; and vi) Quantification of the expected public ecosystem benefits (that is, the increase in natural capital) as a result of achieving the targets for the improvement in footprint size and depth. Overall, this results in three policy papers, five project reports, one handbook and four scientific publications.

 

KOEVOET builds on and liaises with past and on-going projects and initiatives within the EC, LNV, PBL and WUR, making use of available information, data and models from these projects. KOEVOET adds to these projects and initiatives:

+ Additional data and information (related to: size and depth of footprint; ecosystem services and values; options for action; effectiveness, private costs and public benefits of action-options).

+ Further development and integration of models (methods for: footprint; ecosystem services and valuation; natural capital; cost-effectiveness).

+ Deepening natural capital methods (link with NCC and ANK) by looking not only at the size (area) but also at the impact on biodiversity, ecosystem services and values ​​(depth).

+ Integrated evaluation of the effects (size and depth of footprint; biodiversity; ecosystem services; private costs; public benefits) of action-options that lead to changes in production methods and consumption patterns.