[en] In 2001, the Green Certificate System for Sustainable Energy will become operational. This certificate system will stimulate sustainable production of energy in the Netherlands, which should reduce the Dutch contribution to CO2 emissions. The pros and cons of such a system are discussed it is investigated whether it is ready for implementation. Liberalisation of energy markets in an international context serves as a starting point, because it has an important influence on trends in national energy provision. It is also examined whether anything can be learned from the experience gained with American systems of tradable permits, which show some similarity to the Green Certificate System. Finally, a checklist of characteristics, that the system should meet in order to be an effective part of the environmental and especially climate policy of the Netherlands, is given. If those conditions are satisfied, the system seems ripe for implementation. 7 refs

[en] An important question in urbanisation policy is that of the pattern of urbanisation which is to be preferred from an environmental point of view. This paper discusses the current state of knowledge about the impact of urbanisation patterns on the environment, based on a review of the existing literature in the Netherlands. Aspects studied included mobility, energy use in houses, problems of noise, odour and local air pollution, and effects on natural amenities and the landscape. It is concluded that urbanisation policies can only make limited contributions to solving environmental problems in the short term. However, it seems advisable to aim at a certain level of urban compactness, as this would allow the greatest freedom for future policy options, such as possibilities for cost-effective public transport systems and for the development of large conservation areas. 23 refs

[en] A description is given of the integrated TARGETS (Tool to Assess Regional and Environmental and health Targets for Sustainability) model. The various submodels are briefly introduced, after which it is indicated how global scenarios for the next century have been constructed for three different world views, based on cultural theory. The results show the extent to which assumptions about controversial issues determine expectations about the future. The study thus contributes to a more transparent discussion on a sustainable future for mankind, one in which human values play an explicit role. 31 refs

[en] Given the difference between peak and off-peak occupancy rates in public transport, emissions per traveller kilometre are lower in the peak than in the off-peak period, whereas the opposite pattern is observed for cars. It is argued that it is much more fruitful to analyse environmental effects in marginal terms. This calls for a careful analysis of capacity management policies of public transport suppliers that are facing increased demand during both peak and off-peak periods. A detailed analysis of capacity management by the Netherlands Railways (NS) revealed that off-peak capacity supply is mainly dictated by the demand levels during the peak period. The analysis included the effects of increased frequency and increased vehicle size on environmental impacts, while environmental economies of vehicle size were also taken into account. The main conclusion is that the marginal environmental burden during the peak hours is much higher than is usually thought, whereas it is almost zero during the off-peak period. This implies a pattern that is the precise opposite of the average environmental burden. Thus, an analysis of environmental effects of public transport based on average performance would yield misleading conclusions

[en] The public opinion in the Netherlands about nuclear energy has been rather stable during recent years. Since the Chernobyl accident roughly 60% of the Dutch population is opposed to extension of the use of nuclear energy. Nuclear experts play an important role in the formation of public opinion about nuclear energy. In this paper the social and cultural background of 87 Dutch nuclear energy experts is analyzed with respect to religious belief, age, life style, membership of a political party, birth order and career pattern. 2 figs., 2 tabs., 16 refs

[en] This article focuses on the emission allowances for developed countries and compares the co-operative instruments for implementing the climate treaties. It argues that the emission allowances are mainly based on political willingness and that the flexible instruments are not yet mutually consistent and may lead to opportunistic behaviour on the part of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Kyoto Protocol. Such behaviour may hamper the achievement of the environmental goals of the Kyoto Protocol, unless the emission reduction units are made comparable. In addition, the European Union triptych approach can be applied to the developing countries in order to successfully involve them in the process without compromising their priorities. 25 refs

[en] To assist the development of international climate policies, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has developed instructions which can be used to calculate and report the emissions of greenhouse gases for each individual country. Bunkering, i.e., refuelling aircraft and ships, is reported separately. However, the agreements on reductions for countries or regions laid down in the Kyoto protocol do not take pollution from international transport into consideration. The Dutch economy generates a substantial amount of pollution outside its national borders through international transport. In 1998, for example, 26 of the total of 203 billion kg carbon dioxide were emitted outside the national borders. In addition, IPCC regulations result in incompatibilities between emission figures and economic key figures (gross domestic product, employment) from the national accounts. This paper reviews the various definitions of emission figures that are used in the Netherlands and their interrelationships. Special attention is paid to the analytical advantages of harmonising environmental statistics with the system of national accounts. 4 refs

[en] Because of the lack of experience with permits in the Netherlands, and in view of the similarities between various other tradeable permit systems, the functioning of Dutch systems of tradeable fish, milk and manure quotas is discussed. Evaluation of these systems is based on criteria of effectiveness, target-group efficiency and government efficiency. These systems of tradeable permits appear to constitute a successful addition to the Dutch policy of direct regulation. Considering this, and the favorable American experience with the Emissions Trading Program, tradeable emission permits deserve a chance to be implemented in Dutch environmental policy. The question remains, however, whether the Dutch government is ready for such a step. 28 refs

[en] The international SusHouse project has developed a strategy design approach that can contribute to major (factor 20) efficiency improvements in household activities. Stakeholder workshops have been held to develop scenarios for a sustainable future (2050). These scenarios were evaluated on their economic consequences, environmental impacts and consumer acceptance. the results were then used as the input for a second round of stakeholder workshops, which aimed at developing short-term strategies and implementation plans. This Research Note reviews the SusHouse approach and its results. It ends with suggestions for further steps to be taken. A SusHouse CD-ROM is available, containing all final project reports as well as a scenario presentation in the form of images and short texts. 22 refs

[en] From 1 to 12 December 1997, member states of the United Nations will be negotiating targets and instruments to curb climate change. This paper outlines the background to these negotiations, providing an overview of the actors, proposals and issues. In the discussion on targets, actors will stress, among other things, problems of enforcement, fear of limits to economic growth and free-riding by developing countries. The political acceptance of ambitious reduction targets is therefore unlikely. The discussion on instruments focuses on international cooperation through Joint Implementation and tradeable emission permits. But the potential cost-effectiveness of these instruments is hampered by conceptual and practical problems. 2 tabs., 15 refs