J.M.R. (Julia) Koch

The potential of circular consumption in the Netherlands

The Dutch government strives for a national circular economy by 2050. This goal is set in order to achieve a more efficient resource use that ultimately reduces the environmental effects linked to resource extraction, processing, use and waste management. The transition to a circular economy does not only require new ways of producing but also an accompanying change in consumption. Circular consumption encompasses behaviors related to so-called R-strategies, such as refuse, rethink, reduce, reuse, repair, refurbish, remanufacture, repurpose, recycle and recover.

Whereas a broad range of studies have examined the environmental impacts and behavioral aspects of certain types of circular consumption behavior, an integral assessment of the environmental potential of different types of circular consumption behaviors is missing. This PhD research addresses this research gap. It encompasses the assessment of the environmental gain of different circular consumption behaviors and the exploration of the underlying factors and conditions under which Dutch consumers are willing to engage in circular consumption behaviors. This provides a basis for the assessment of suitable policy measures.

This project is executed at the PBL Netherlands Environmental
Assessment Agency.