The application of natural capital accounting in Dutch energy and water policies
Information from environmental accounts is highly relevant to improve policy-making. PBL, VU Amsterdam and Statistics Netherlands evaluated the role of these accounts in the Dutch implementation of…
Assessing the ambition of post-2020 climate targets: a comprehensive framework
One of the most fundamental questions surrounding the new Paris Agreement is whether countries’ proposals to reduce GHG emissions after 2020 are equally ambitious, considering differences in…
The circular economy is high on national and international agendas. A circular economy is targeted at an optimum use and reuse of natural resources, raw materials and products.
Transport fuel demand responses to fuel price and income projections: Comparison of integrated assessment models
Income and fuel price pathways are key determinants in projections of the energy system in integrated assessment models. In recent years, more details have been added to the transport sector…
Are Dutch residents ready for a more stringent policy to enhance the energy performance of their homes?
Investments in the energy performance of houses offer good prospects for reducing energy consumption and CO2 emissions. However, people are not easily convinced of the need to take measures to improve…
The relationship between nature and people is changing, which raises the question of how policies could respond. This book includes five essays, by internationally renowned philosophers, elaborating…
The occurrence of many species in the EU is expected to further decline, making it difficult to reach the 2050 policy vision. This study elaborates four ‘perspectives’ on the future of nature in the…
Handbook of Regions and Competitiveness: Contemporary Theories and Perspectives on Economic Development
On 27 February, the European Commission released an update of the European Competitiveness Index. In this index, the Dutch region of Utrecht dropped from being the first to being the second most…
Navigating the authority paradox: Practising objectivity in environmental expertise
We empirically reveal how environmental experts interpret the objectivity norm while navigating the authority paradox. The paradox here is that while there is a need for objective scientific advice…
Assessment of US city reduction commitments, from a country perspective
In the United States, 14 of the 25 largest cities have committed themselves to achieving greenhouse gas reduction targets. This study shows that, as a group, the 25 largest US cities are more…