Unleashing the Power of the Circular Economy

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2
In the
Netherlands,
Green Deals
can be used to
remove legislative
obstacles, to
relieve upfront
investment and
develop a
resource passport
that is above the current emission standards of the International Maritime
Organization. An increasing number of ports use the ESI to award a reduction
in port fees to the cleanest ships. The ESI is open, transparent, adaptive,
voluntary, and registration is free of charge. Consequently, over 1700 ships
have currently registered, which is impressive within the timeframe of two
years.
An index for circular performance should be simple to use, based on a synergy
of practical and scientific knowledge, transparent in set-up about weighing
and limitations, and data used should be open for verification. [61] The index
should be set up in such a way that a maximum number of companies can
join.
Companies do not have to wait for such an overall index to be fully developed
and implemented. They can already start to realise their own instruments
to give incentives such as discounts to their partners, based on the specific
attributes of their value chain.
As a starting point for measuring circularity, impact decoupling could be
quantified in terms of kilograms and euros, e.g. by quantifying recycling
streams more thoroughly. Environmental impacts such as CO 2 emissions
can be added as soon as they can be measured with such accuracy that the
uncertainties added over the value chain stay well below one hundred per
cent.
Step 2 Encourage experimentation, innovation and redesign
In the pioneering phase, policy-making should focus on enabling actors to
experiment and stimulate circular economy innovations and redesign of
existing products (obstacle 19 in Appendix I) and value chains. For instance,
to further develop practical implementation of new business models, reverse
logistic systems and a resource passport, room for experimentation needs to
be created. In the Netherlands, Green Deals are an existing tool to enhance
experimenting activities that foster a sustainable economy. Green Deals
help citizens, companies and societal organisations to realise sustainable
initiatives. Governments can support with access to finance (see obstacles
1, 7 in Appendix I), mediation between stakeholders towards mutual visions,
sustainable procurement (e.g. based on the index mentioned in step 1) and by
relieving inhibiting laws and regulation (obstacles 6 – 10). [62] Using Green Deals
for circular experimentation and innovation can help relieve the major upfront
investments in new business models and technologies (obstacles 20 -
22), develop new financial models, and provide clarity and guidance on goals,
responsibility and liabilities of the stakeholders involved.
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