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7
Preface
The world has woken up to the climate crisis, the effect of which is
already being felt. The linear ‘take-make-waste’ extractive economy
is heading toward its end. Besides the increasing greenhouse gas
emissions causing climate change, resources will simply be dried
up in the near future, if we postpone a major step-change any
longer. Over the next 35 years, the world’s population will grow by
a third. By 2050, there will be ten billion of us. Ten billion people
all of whom we give a proper home, food, clothes. To meet with
current average standards, by 2050 we would need three planets
to generate and regenerate our required resources. It’s as evident
as clear: time has come for a circular economy.
In the Netherlands, we agreed to complete a circular economy
by 2050. With “we” I’m referring to public authorities, industry,
civil-society organizations, knowledge institutions and many
more. I’m proud to say that we’re in this together and that we’re
working in five key sectors (construction, plastics, biomass and
food, manufacturing, and consumer goods) towards two concrete
targets. To cut raw-material use by 50% and to significantly reduce
carbon emissions by 2030.
To guarantee the track towards 2050, it’s important that we
monitor the actions implemented. With knowledge adjustments
can be made along the way. The government-wide programme
will let us scale up the circular economy, accelerate it and
monitor it. This is how we can utilize our innovative strength and
create new opportunities for Dutch businesses, both nationally
and internationally. To share our expertise worldwide, we have
established Holland Circular Hotspot, our business platform