Goed nieuws, als je je niet beseft dat dat met name komt doordat productie naar meer vervuilende landen als China is verplaatst en de wereldwijde uitstoot van broeikasgassen ondanks decennia aan grote zorgen tot de dag van vandaag alleen maar toeneemt.
A consequence of a shift from emission intensive goods sectors to other sectors such as services in the Netherlands may be that direct emissions associated with the goods sector occur across the border, in foreign countries that will now produce these goods. Dutch producers and consumers might import these goods. This can lead to a situation of a decline in direct emissions in the Netherlands, but an increase elsewhere. It is self-evident that a local reduction in GHG emissions but, at the same time, an increase in emissions in the total production chain will not attribute to tackle climate change.
Only footprint analysis that considers emissions throughout the whole international production chain can account for the ‘disappeared’ emissions. Therefore footprint indicators have become common in national and international reporting on sustainability. They are, for example, part of the Dutch Monitor of Well-being and the Sustainable Development Goals 2023. (CBS, 2023) and published by Eurostat. Not only GHG emission footprints but also other footprints like material use footprints are commonly being compiled.
Footprints are beyond the scope of the current paper. The main reason is that data of other countries on the drivers behind CO2 emissions can not be obtained. Therefore, we only consider emissions directly related to Dutch economic activities.