Circular economy: what we want to know and can measure. Framework and baseline assessment for monitoring the progress of the circular economy in the Netherlands
Updated on 26.06.2023
With the government-wide programme ‘A circular economy in the Netherlands by 2050,’ the Dutch Government has outlined its plans for the transition towards a circular economy (CE). To be able to track whether that transition is on course, a monitoring system is needed. This report proposes such a system and provides a baseline assessment.
More information
The monitoring system in this report goes beyond the ten indicators proposed by the European Commission, as it systemically maps the current effects and the preconditions for the transition process to achieve the desired effects, over time. The report is a joint publication by PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency, Statistics Netherlands (CBS) and the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), made at the request of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management and the Ministry of Economic Affairs.
Relevance for Circular Systemic Solutions
The report proposes indicators for monitoring the transition process to CE and the effect that is achieved. The provided indicators are about the following sectors/value chains: biomass and food; manufacturing; construction; plastics; and consumer goods. The information in this report is based more on a national level, but it can still be inspirational to cities and regions. The recommendations could be 'downscaled' to be applicable on a local and regional level. Cities and regions can draw inspiration from the provided indicators to analyse the progress toward a CE in the selected sectors/value-chains. By analysing this progress, barriers and gaps can be further identified. Circular Systemic Solutions can be proposed and developed to address these gaps and barriers and support the territory with the transition.
CEAP2 key product value chain
built environment, CEAP2 key product value chain
CEAP2 key product value chain
CEAP2 key product value chain
including bio-based economy
e.g. electrical engineering, furniture and interior, textile and fashion
e.g. chemicals, cosmetics, bio-based industries
<5 000
large 500 000-200 000, medium 200 000-50 000, and small cities 50 000-5 000
large metropolitan area >1.5 million, metropolitan area 1.5 million-500 000
predominantly urban regions, intermediate and predominantly rural regions, refer to TERCET typology NUTS 3 region
e.g. commercial, residential, service, industrial
