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Household energy consumption (HEC) significantly impacts global greenhouse gas emissions and can trigger fuel and energy poverty among vulnerable households. Due to environmental policies and geopolitical turmoil limiting the energy supply, HEC needs to be curbed. This urges the identification of most energy-dependent consumers at different locations and the particular life circumstances that trigger such a high level of dependency. A gender perspective can provide insights into the life circumstances of households. Applying a geographically weighted regression model on HEC, including explanatory parameters on gender composition, age, ethnicity, income, home ownership, microclimate, urban morphology and land cover, the results show significant variations in HEC of gender groups in 87% of Dutch residential zones. Women with an immigration background (20%), children younger than 14 years old -presumably single mothers (14%), old buildings in hot climates (10%), or high income (9%) are the most energy-dependent gender groups in a significant portion of residential zones. So are the men in large-size households (18%) and older-than-65-years men in rural areas (8%). The study offers discussions on the results and a series of policy recommendations. [Display omitted] • The associations between energy consumption and gender vary across a territory. • Age, ethnicity, income, family type of energy-intensive gender groups spatially vary. • Females' HEC relates to: Immigration background, children, high income, building age. • Males' HEC relates to: household size, age more than 65 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The most binding nature protection policy in the Netherlands and the EU primarily designates areas based on ecological value, ensuring their sustained protection. Of less concern to these policies are the current and future needs of the average citizen, who is experiencing increases in education, income, and health. This paper argues that although existing policies protect biodiversity needs, the spatialemotional needs of the public are of similarly high importance. We analyze the spatial and emotional characteristics of favorite natural places in the Netherlands selected on the Hotspotsmonitor survey. Content analysis of the open question, "Why is this place important to you?" identified three categories: peace & quiet, explore, and peak. These were mapped using GIS to identify predominant hotspots and compared against the most binding nature protection policy - Natura 2000. The important societal benefits of augmenting ecologically based nature protection policies with emotional valuation are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For addressing climate change, public support for changes in policy is needed, as well changes in individual lifestyles. Both of these appear to be intimately related with people's worldviews. Understanding these worldviews is therefore essential. In order to research and 'map' them, we translated the theoretical 'Integrative Worldview Framework' (IWF) into an empirical, quantitative approach. We constructed a worldview-scale aiming to distinguish between four major worldviews - labeled traditional, modern, postmodern, and integrative - and explored their interface with opinions and behaviors with respect to climate change. The survey was conducted with representative samples of citizens in the Netherlands and the USA (n=527 and n=556). The hypothesized worldviews were found in the data with a reasonable degree of reliability, especially in the Dutch sample. We also found consistent relationships between these worldview-clusters and a range of opinions, political priorities, and behaviors. In both countries postmoderns and integratives displayed significantly more concern about climate change as well as more sustainable behaviors, compared with moderns and traditionals. The implications of these findings for environmental policy and social science are noteworthy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Renewable supply potentials are strongly dependent on spatial policies. • Spatial policy changes can unlock vast potentials of renewable energy. • Combining windfarms and ground-based photovoltaics is realistic and efficient. • Heat demand density is greatly influenced by buildings' spatial footprint. Spatially sensitive regional renewables' potentials are greatly influenced by existing land-use claims and related spatial and environmental policies. Similarly, heat particularly related to low-temperature demand applications in the built environment (BE) is highly spatially explicit. This study developed an analytical approach for a detailed spatial analysis of future solar PV, onshore wind, biomass, and geothermal and industrial waste heat potentials at a regional level and applied in the Dutch Province of Groningen. We included spatial policies, various spatial claims, and other land-use constraints in developing renewable scenarios for 2030 and 2050. We simultaneously considered major spatial claims and multiple renewable energy sources. Claims considered are the BE, agriculture, forest, nature, and network and energy infrastructure, with each connected to social, ecological, environmental, technical, economic, and policy-related constraints. Heat demand was further analyzed by creating highly granular demand density maps, comparing them with regional heat supply potential, and identifying the economic feasibility of heat networks. We analyzed the possibilities of combining multiple renewables on the same land. The 2050 renewable scenarios results ranged 2–66 PJ for solar PV and 0–48 PJ for onshore wind and biomass ranged 3.5–25 PJ for both 2030 and 2050. These large ranges of potentials show the significant impact of spatial constraints and underline the need for understanding how they shape future energy policies. The heat demand density map shows that future heat networks are feasible in large population centers. Our approach is pragmatic and replicable in other regions, subject to data availability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since its introduction in the National Environmental Policy Plan in 2001 the notion of ‘energy transition’ is firmly rooted in the Dutch energy debate. Despite political efforts to shift to a sustainable energy system, the Netherlands is lagging behind other European countries. Scholarly literature generally ascribes such slow developments to the dominant role of incumbents. In this paper we explore how prominent incumbents of the Dutch energy system discursively frame the energy transition by unravelling their existing and evolving storylines. Our results show that decarbonization in the context of a European energy market is currently seen as the dominant driver for the energy transition, linked to discursive elements on keeping the energy supply secure and affordable. We found tensions within this dominant storyline and emerging storylines with the potential to undermine the dominant one. In response, incumbents are discursively repositioning themselves, thereby restructuring coalitions – possibly indicating discursive regime destabilization . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Water management and particularly flood defence have a long history of collective action in low-lying countries like the Netherlands. The uncertain but potentially severe impacts of the recent climate change issue (e.g. sea level rise, extreme river discharges, salinisation) amplify the wicked and controversial character of flood safety policy issues. Policy proposals in this area generally involve drastic infrastructural works and long-term investments. They face the difficult challenge of framing problems and solutions in a publicly acceptable manner in ever changing circumstances. In this paper, we analyse and compare (1) how three key policy proposals publicly frame the flood safety issue, (2) the knowledge referred to in the framing and (3) how these frames are rhetorically connected or disconnected as statements in a long-term conversation. We find that (1) framings of policy proposals differ in the way they depict the importance of climate change, the relevant timeframe and the appropriate governance mode; (2) knowledge is selectively mobilised to underpin the different frames and (3) the frames about these proposals position themselves against the background of the previous proposals through rhetorical connections and disconnections. Finally, we discuss how this analysis hints at the importance of processes of powering and puzzling that lead to particular framings towards the public at different historical junctures. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Policy-oriented learning is important for decision-makers who are confronted with complex societal problems. Learning can be supported by linking policies to implementation actions and expected outcomes, which then in turn can be monitored. Unfortunately, the use of monitoring information in decision-making is often diffuse and indirect. If one accepts the importance of, and the practical limitations to the use of monitoring information in relation to policy-oriented learning, what can reasonably be expected? To what extent do actors in a policy process adhere to these expectations regarding their collection and use of information to support decision-making over time? We have studied these questions for two policy processes in coastal management, one in the Netherlands and one in South Africa; both related to infrastructures and spanning a 25-year period. Results show that actors who were driving the original policy decisions on coastal infrastructures devised monitoring strategies that addressed the issues most salient to their core responsibilities. Other issues, raised by other actors in early policy decisions, were monitored less intensively, if at all. Although understandable, this omission affected the possibilities for policy-oriented learning on these other issues, and limited the information base in subsequent policy games when these issues became more pertinent. This raises questions regarding the responsibilities for monitoring design and knowledge development in multi-actor settings. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Scholars stress the need to bring science and policy together for effective policy making. This paper highlights an interesting site of co-production: the second Dutch Delta Committee. Consisting of representatives of science, politics, policy and industry, this state committee advised the Dutch government on adapting to climate change in 2008. Although the committee went beyond common climate projections and advocated non-incremental policy recommendations, its report provoked little opposition. Subsequently, its recommendations shaped institutional reform and policy development in Dutch adaptive governance. Using the concept of boundary organisations, this paper opens up the black box of the advisory process to explain the Delta Committee''s functioning. We conclude that the current understanding of the effectiveness of boundary organisations tends to focus on their internal organisation. The internal processing, shaped by the deliberate composition and organisation of the committee, was indeed important for the production of useful knowledge and management of multiple boundaries. However, this was paralleled by external practices of continued interaction with a range of political, departmental, scientific and public actors in which the Committee positioned the advise. While the former mainly enabled the production of a high quality advice, the latter quested for its acceptation and legitimacy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Environmental assessment (EA) aims to enhance environmental awareness and to ensure that environmental values are fully considered in decision-making. In the EA arena, different discourses exist on what EA should aim for and how it functions. We hypothesise that these discourses influence its application in practice as well as its effectiveness in terms of achieving the above goals. For instance, actors who consider EA as a hindrance to fast implementation of their projects will probably apply it as a mandatory checklist, whereas actors who believe that EA can help to develop more environmentally sound decisions will use EIA as a tool to design their initiatives. In this paper we explore discourses on EA in The Netherlands and elaborate on their implications for EA effectiveness. Based on an innovative research design comprising an online survey with 443 respondents and 20 supplementary semi-structured interviews we conclude that the dominant discourse is that EA is mainly a legal requirement; EAs are conducted because they have to be conducted, not because actors choose to do so. EA effectiveness however seems reasonably high, as a majority of respondents perceive that it enhances environmental awareness and contributes to environmental protection. However, the ‘legal requirement’ discourse also results in decision-makers seldom going beyond what is prescribed by EA and environmental law. Despite its mandatory character, the predominant attitude towards EA is quite positive. For most respondents, EA is instrumental in providing transparency of decision-making and in minimising the legal risks of not complying with environmental laws. Differences in discourses seldom reflect extreme opposites. The ‘common ground’ regarding EA provides a good basis for working with EA in terms of meeting legal requirements but at the same time does not stimulate creativity in decision-making or optimisation of environmental values. In countries characterised by less consensual political cultures we may expect more extreme discourses on EA, the consequences of which are reflected upon in this paper. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The future of human life in the world''s river deltas depends on the success of water management. To deal with uncertainties about the future, policymakers in the Netherlands have used scenarios to develop water management strategies for the coastal zone of the Rhine–Meuse delta. In this paper we reflect on six decades of scenario use in the Netherlands, and provide recommendations for future studies. Based on two criteria, ‘Decision robustness’ and ‘Learning success’, we conclude that (1) the possibilities for robust decisionmaking increased through a paradigm shift from predicting to exploring futures, but the scenario method is not yet fully exploited for decisionmaking under uncertainty; and (2) the scenarios enabled learning about possible impacts of developments and effectiveness of policy options. New scenario approaches are emerging to deal with the deep uncertainties water managers are currently facing. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper provides an evidence-based contribution to understanding processes of climate change adaptation in water governance systems in the Netherlands, Australia and South Africa. It builds upon the work of Ostrom on institutional design principles for local common pool resources systems. We argue that for dealing with complexities and uncertainties related to climate change impacts (e.g. increased frequency and intensity of floods or droughts) additional or adjusted institutional design propositions are necessary that facilitate learning processes. This is especially the case for dealing with complex, cross-boundary and large-scale resource systems, such as river basins and delta areas in the Netherlands and South Africa or groundwater systems in Western Australia. In this paper we provide empirical support for a set of eight refined and extended institutional design propositions for the governance of adaptation to climate change in the water sector. Together they capture structural, agency and learning dimensions of the adaptation challenge and they provide a strong initial framework to explore key institutional issues in the governance of adaptation to climate change. These institutional design propositions support a “management as learning” approach to dealing with complexity and uncertainty. They do not specify blueprints, but encourage adaptation tuned to the specific features of local geography, ecology, economies and cultures. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In many countries there is an ongoing debate on the choice of an adequate set of indicators to evaluate the effectiveness of environmental policy and the sustainability of current developments. Experiences in the Netherlands, in the past decades, have shown that this is a never-ending debate. Political preferences for certain types of indicators change over time and differ between the various stakeholders. Therefore, any set of indicators should be broad enough to be resilient to changing political climates and to facilitate discussions between various stakeholders on trade-offs between economic and ecological targets. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper, we investigate whether a new phase in port–city development is emerging. We have done this by analysing the scientific literature on present and future spatial developments of the port of Amsterdam in the Netherlands in terms of the spatial and environmental policies and the viewpoints of port firms. It appears that in the Port of Amsterdam, but also in other ports, the expansion pace of the port area is slowing down, while at the same time the city is expanding in the direction of the port at an increasing speed. In the beginning, this conflict was rather passive, in the sense that the conflict was about how the redevelopment should take place. However, the conflict has evolved further to questioning whether any redevelopment should take place. This implies that a new phase in the development of the port–city interface has emerged. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In past years, the European limit value for average annual NO2 concentration has been exceeded in city streets and along motorways in the Netherlands. By 2015 the limit value must be adhered to in the Netherlands. Although the total road length for which exceedance is likely is expected to decrease over the coming years, exceedances may still occur by 2015. Future NO2 concentrations not only depend on economic growth, current and proposed policies, and on inevitable meteorological fluctuations, they also depend on the effectiveness of technical measures to reduce emissions. New emission measurements for heavy-duty vehicles in the Euro-V (and Euro-III) emission standard categories, carried out under typical Dutch driving conditions, have revealed that real-world NO x emissions from these trucks are significantly higher than was previously estimated based on the reduction steps in the Euro emission standards. Emission levels were higher, by about a factor of three, along city streets, and 10 to 40% higher along motorways. These higher emission levels resulted in higher estimated national NO x emissions, increasing from 250kt to 264kt, compared with the national emission ceiling of 260kt, to be adhered to by 2010. The higher emissions more than double the total road length with possible exceedance (chance >33%) of the NO2 limit value; from about 100km to about 250km along cities streets and motorways, by 2015. These higher emissions from trucks, therefore, affect the chances of the limit values being adhered to, in time, everywhere in the Netherlands. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Environmental research has contributed significantly since 1990 to a strong reduction of environmental pollution associated with dairy farming in the Netherlands. To judge possible pollution, state indicators and threshold values are distinguished. Threshold values for: (i) N and P in ground- and surface-water, (ii) air quality in terms of ammonia and greenhouse gasses and (iii) deposition rates of N on nature areas, are still exceeded. New approaches are needed as the EU dairy quota system will expire in 2015 and production is likely to increase. Four are suggested: (i) change the top-down character of regulations to a bottom-up self-governing procedure where farmers receive clear guidelines and are challenged by government and assisted by research to meet them. The future commitment of farmers is crucial as “the low environmental fruit” has been harvested; (ii) abolish confusing and overly complex proxy systems and focus on direct measurement of state indicators, using newly developed sensing systems and proper statistical sampling procedures for expressing variability; (iii) make the derivation of threshold values for environmental state indicators more science-based and transparent and start with focusing on individual farms and nature areas to be followed by upscaling to regions and the entire country. (iv) Follow the recommendations of the Trojan report and develop comprehensive regional management plans and a strategic plan for the entire country. Environmental research has been fragmented and often reactive rather than pro-active. Recent research on farm level, using life cycle analysis, applies an integrated approach to study water, air and soil qualities as well as economic aspects and can therefore form the basis for future management plans on farm level and for regional and national plans, all to be focused on sustainable development. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this paper we analyse the potential impact of an integrated policy package for the Gelderse Vallei region in the Netherlands on seven landscape services (residential use, intensive livestock husbandry, drinking water supply, attractiveness for overnight tourism, habitat provision for rare, endemic and indicator plant species, arable agricultural production, and attractiveness for leisure cycling). The spatially explicit methodology focuses on the changes in landscape properties resulting from the implementation of these policies and its effects on the supply of landscape services and economic values of the landscape services. After the policy implementation the strongest increase in services supply is expected in rural areas while the strongest increase in value is expected to occur in (peri-) urban areas of the study area. In addition, full implementation of the policy package will lead to an increase in multifunctional areas. This study presents one of the first spatially explicit methodologies to quantify and analyse spatial variation in economic value of landscape services in time, and therefore can contribute to well-informed management of landscapes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The construction of new infrastructure is hotly contested. This paper presents a comparative study on three environmental policy domains in the Netherlands that all deal with legitimising building and locating infrastructure facilities. Such infrastructure is usually declared essential to environmental policy and claimed to serve sustainability goals. They are considered to serve (proclaimed) public interests, while the adverse impact or risk that mainly concerns environmental values as well is concentrated at a smaller scale, for example in local communities. The social acceptance of environmental policy infrastructure is institutionally determined. The institutional capacity for learning in infrastructure decision-making processes in the following three domains is compared: [1.] The implementation of wind power as a renewable energy innovation; [2.] The policy on space-water adaptation, with its claim to implement a new style of management replacing the current practice of focusing on control and ‘hard’ infrastructure; [3.] Waste policy with a focus on sound waste management and disposal, claiming a preference for waste minimization (the ‘waste management hierarchy’). All three cases show a large variety of social acceptance issues, where the appraisal of the impact of siting the facilities is confronted with the desirability of the policies. In dealing with environmental conflict, the environmental capacity of the Netherlands appears to be low. The policies are frequently hotly contested within the process of infrastructure decision-making. Decision-making on infrastructure is often framed as if consensus about the objectives of environmental policies exists. These claims are not justified, and therefore stimulating the emergence of environmental conflicts that discourage social acceptance of the policies. Authorities are frequently involved in planning infrastructure that conflicts with their officially proclaimed policy objectives. In these circumstances, they are often confronted with local actors who support alternatives that are in fact better in tune with the new policy paradigm. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Although the ecological economics (EE) discourse attempts to influence environmental policy, empirical studies have concluded that its success in this endeavour has been limited thus far. In the Netherlands, however, two EE-related policy concepts, Environmental Utilisation Space and Ecological Footprint, were strongly present in environmental policy during certain periods in time, but subsequently disappeared from the environmental agenda. The central question of this article is how these ups and downs of the EE concepts can be understood: which factors determine their rise on and fall from the policy agenda over time? To answer this question, this article offers a conceptual model informed by the approaches in political science on framing, agenda-setting and knowledge utilisation. We conclude that the interplay of concept-specific characteristics, the formation of coalitions around the concept and contextual variables explain the rise and fall of the aforementioned concepts. A match between the dominant policy frame and the core elements of the concept provides the opportunity for the two concepts to be pushed on the agenda. We observe the alternation of ‘constraining’ frames, which allows for EE concepts to survive, and ‘reconciling’ frames, which block agenda entrance for EE concepts. Furthermore, the alternation of these frames seems to correlate with economic and public environmental attention cycles in the Netherlands. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this article we answer the question how Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) may assist collaborative planning. We argue that successful collaborative planning generates specific demands on the production of policy-relevant knowledge, which SEA may help to meet. Important criteria for usable knowledge in governance processes are its interactive production, its flexible character to cope with the dynamics of collaborative processes, its openness to stakeholder involvement, and its focus on close interplay between policy and knowledge developers. The SEA procedure may fit well into collaborative planning processes, depending on how policy makers apply and use this procedure. From two rather controversial Dutch planning cases we learn that SEA, applied wisely, plays an important role in realizing meaningful stakeholder involvement, joint fact-finding and interaction between lay people and experts, agreement about the policy problem, the alternative solutions and their effects, and knowledge which is feasible to facilitate decision-making in a context of highly polarized positions and value-laden conflicts. We can conclude that SEA seems to be perhaps not formally intended to facilitate collaborative governance processes, but that it can do so when the users translate its principles in accordance to the general principles of successful collaborative governance and joint fact finding. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The extent of the exceedance of the EU limit values for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter (PM10) concentrations within the Netherlands is expected to decrease significantly, in the coming years. Whether limit values will actually be exceeded, in the next decade, depends not only on European, national and local policies, but also on the effects of inevitable interannual meteorological fluctuations. An analysis of model calculations and measurements yields variations (1 sigma) in the annual average concentration of about 5% for NO2 and 9% for PM10, due to meteorological fluctuations. These deviations from long-term average concentrations affect assessments of future levels, set against limit values. For instance, an NO2 concentration of 39 μg m−3, estimated for a given year with long-term average meteorology, indicates that it is likely (chance >66%) that the limit value of 40 μg m−3 will not be exceeded in that particular year. At the same time, the estimation also indicates, for example, that this situation is unlikely (change <33%) to continue for three years in a row. However, with an estimated concentration of 38 μg m−3, it is likely that the limit value will not be exceeded for three years in a row. The limit value for the daily average PM10 concentration is equivalent to an annual average of about 32 μg m−3. This threshold is unlikely to be exceeded for three years in a row, when an annual average concentration of 29 μg m−3 is estimated. Interannual variations in concentrations of NO2 and PM10 are linked to large-scale meteorological fluctuations. Therefore, similar results can be expected for other European countries. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

To determine background values of the 252 chemical compounds listed in Dutch legislation, a survey was designed with the aim of estimating percentiles of the cumulative frequency distributions and areal fractions exceeding the former, legislative reference values. Sampling locations were selected by probability sampling, so that in estimating the target quantities no model assumptions on the spatial variation were required, and valid estimates could be obtained by design-based inference. Strata in random sampling were formed by overlaying an aggregated soil map and land use map. For most of the heavy metals the areal fraction with concentrations in the topsoil (0–10cm) exceeding the reference value was smaller than the allowable maximum of 5%. For these compounds a background value was determined smaller than the reference value. Exceptions were V, Co, Ba and Cu, for which a background value was defined (slightly) larger than the reference value. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In the policy-making process concerning energy and environmental issues, cooperation between government and firms is a means to create a more efficient energy and environmental policy. Intermediary organizations can play an important role in this policy-making process. Aim of this study is to get insight into the role of one specific intermediary organization: the industry association. In this paper, we focus on the Dutch paper and board industry. Important policy themes for this industry are waste water, waste, and energy efficiency. We distinguished four types of governmental policy instruments: top-down regulation, interactive regulation, negative economic instruments, and positive economic instruments. We analyzed the role of the industry association in the policy-making process for all of these four instruments. The results clearly show different (relative) roles of the industry association in different steps of the policy-making processes and for different types of instruments. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper, we present results from a survey on the perceived roles of organisations on the production and transfer of knowledge in Dutch soil policy. The results are interpreted by applying three theoretical perspectives to this relation: technical communities, epistemic communities and Mode 2 knowledge production. The main research results show that, since the perceived roles of organisations in some cases do not match the intended roles, or are inconsistent, communication of roles by organisations in the policy field is not effective. A second conclusion is that the respondents advocated an increase in interaction among policy levels and between knowledge production and policymaking. From the results, it seems that the Dutch soil policy field is on its way to a mode of socially robust knowledge production, where knowledge production, knowledge transfer and policymaking are integrated. In order to further this development, the paper provides recommendations on the further integration of science and policy concerning soil policy in the Netherlands. With respect to the methodology of survey research on the interaction between science and policy, the paper illustrates the importance of the professional identities of the respondents. The professional identities of the respondents are an important explanatory variable for the perceived roles of organisations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This article deals with responses in the Netherlands to a widespread perception within the water sector of crisis, rooted in an appreciation that former ways of managing water could no longer deal with contemporary and possible future events. The crisis and initial responses are first outlined, grounding the SLIM project experience in Dutch water management practice and policy. This leads to the research question formulated by the Dutch SLIM team, and the predictions it gave rise to. The research methodology, case studies and policy analyses at the core of the study are introduced. Empirical observations concerning four aspects of the change process are used to explore the predictions: conflict and confrontation among stakeholders; discovery of interdependence among stakeholders; development of social spaces where stakeholders could encounter each other in shared actions; and the role of facilitators and process leaders in helping stakeholders to go forward. The observations are analysed in relation to the initial predictions and the surprises encountered in the history of the cases. Knowledge management is identified as a key task in the social learning processes analysed. The article concludes with reflections on the role of the environmental sciences in the policy processes and research practices described. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Instead of continuously adapting current dairy farming systems according to the ruling legal instruments, exploring strategic development options for the farming system with a focus on the final environmental goals may provide better perspectives for farm continuation. To identify promising options, the dairy farming model was developed. The model describes options of different intensities for producing feed in the field, for processing or buying feed and for converting feed into milk. The combinations of different intensities result in different types of income levels, different nutrient emissions into the ecosystem and different abilities to manage the landscape. The model reconciles economic objectives (maximizing income per ha) with ecological objectives (minimizing nutrient leakages and maximizing landscape values). The multiple-objective model is in turn fed by other models, such as technical coefficient generators for grass, maize and fodder beets. The dairy farming model is applied to assess the type of farming systems that meet environmental policy objectives and analyse the perspectives of dairy farming on sandy soils in the Netherlands. It is shown that many different dairy farming systems are possible meeting the environmental goals (maximum 34kg N leached, 30kg N volatilized and a P surplus below 2.2kgha−1), with a range in environmental and economic performance. The scenario selected depends on the preference of the stakeholder. General characteristics are low N application rates on grazed grassland, associated with the restriction on nitrate leaching, animals housed in low-emission stables, associated with the restriction on ammonia volatilization, and a substantial part of the concentrates produced in the region, associated with the restriction on P surplus. Production and utilization of hay is an option to reduce N excretion by the animals. Regional or on-farm concentrate production is economically only attractive if land is in surplus under pressure of environmental goals. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This article presents the quantitative eco-efficiency method developed for prioritising environmental investments in NOGEPA, The Netherlands Oil and Gas Exploration and Production Association involving all major oil and gas producers in The Netherlands. They are committed to a high level of environmental improvement in a Covenant with Dutch central government. Quantitative assessment of eco-efficiency in terms of cost per unit of environmental improvement requires the quantification of both costs and environmental impacts, each in a single indicator. The present study focuses on the development of a single environmental indicator for that purpose. The overall process for arriving at such an indicator has been structured according to ISO 14042 about the life cycle impact assessment. For the last step in this process, the establishment of weighting factors across environmental themes, a panel method has been chosen, involving as stakeholders the government officials involved, the industry experts and independent experts from scientific institutes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Individual behaviour relates to the ecological structure or identity of places. In this study, we investigated the relationship between the space–time ecologies of different types of visitor population environment in the Netherlands and destination choice. Multinomial logistic regression modelling for car users was applied to determine the relative importance of various personal and household attributes on choosing for a particular purpose a particular type of visitor population environment during a particular time period of the day. The attributes with the strongest link to the space–time ecologies of destination environments proved to be age, educational level, car ownership, and household income and type. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper introduces a dynamic applied general equilibrium model with bottom-up abatement information for important environmental themes, which can be applied to a wide variety of countries. Empirical abatement cost curves determine the characteristics of abatement and substitution possibilities between pollution and abatement. The analysis of efficient reduction strategies for the Netherlands shows that the costs of current environmental policy targets can be limited via a mixture of technical abatement measures, economic restructuring and a temporary economic slowdown. Smog formation is the most costly environmental theme, due to the absence of sufficient technical abatement options. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Determines the effects of adapting to environmental policies on Dutch dairy farms. Policies for decreasing nutrient losses to the soil; Farm management, environmental and economic results for the medium intensity dairy farm; Outcome of increasing the price of manure disposal.

Examines the credibility on the application of Integrated Assessment Models (IAM) as environmental policy in Netherlands National Institute for Public Health and the Environment. Limitations of IAM; Uncertainties of the outputs; Media-debate on its application.

Abstract: The different approaches that other countries take to land use reflect many national variables, including planning systems, institutional structures, socio-cultural characteristics, population pressures and environmental priorities. Literature reviews of relevant land-use issues in Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand and Sweden provided the background material for this paper. Other European countries appear to offer models of more pro-active and indicative land-use planning, in contrast to the adversarial system in the UK, and a much stronger regional focus. This seems to have made it easier to implement other policies, for example on renewable energy. Experience with liberalisation of agricultural markets, and the promotion of environmentally sustainable farming are both relevant to an increasingly polarised agricultural sector in the UK. Cutting across all these themes is a reflection on governance of land use. Of the countries considered, Sweden''s focus on environmental sustainability, international responsibility and long-term consistency of direction appears to be most closely aligned to the coming land-use challenges. When drawing conclusions from this review it is important to bear in mind the effect of differences in bio-geographic factors, socio-economic conditions and political culture, both in other countries and within the UK. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A study in dune grasslands in two Dutch coastal dune areas suggests that grass encroachment, the dominance of a few tall grass species in formerly open, species&hyphen;rich dune grasslands in the Netherlands, results in a loss of species, notably therophytes, bryophytes, and lichens, as well as a major reduction of daylight at the ground floor. Grazing with cattle and ponies as a control against grass encroachment has been studied in two coastal dune areas. After an initial increase in tall grass communities in both the valleys and the elevated dune ridges, at the expense of more open vegetation, the photographs of ten years of grazing revealed a decrease of tall grass cover and an increase of low grassland communities. Grazing experiments in the Zwanenwater started in parts of the area in 1984 and 1989. Comparison of vegetation maps of 1986 and 1992 revealed that tall grass cover increased over this period in the grazed area, but open communities were still prevalent. In the nongrazed area, open communities declined dramatically, and tall grass cover increased accordingly. These results suggest that present grazing regimes may not be sufficient to stop grass encroachment completely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores four dilemmas with respect to the role of impact assessment in Dutch infrastructure planning. The first dilemma concerns a difficult choice between a 'top-down' and a 'bottom-up' approach of infrastructure planning. The other three dilemmas relate to choices between strategic versus operational, reviewed versus unreviewed, and sectoral versus integral impact assessments. The article's most important observation is the lack of fundamental strategic discussions, which leads to a lack of well-considered strategic impact assessments. To solve this shortcoming, a choice must lie made between pursuing one integral assessment or several sectoral assessments. The outcome of this choice will direct how the other dilemmas can be solved The challenge for planners is to search for approaches that (1) provide facts for fair and straight discussions as well as (2) increase public involvement in strategic decisionmaking. (c) 1999 Elsevier Science Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]