Spoorzoeken naar de invloed van Nederlanders op demondiale biodiversiteit: Model voor een ecologische voetafdruk

摘要

Within this study, an improved indicator was developed to assess theecological footprint of the inhabitants of a country, more specifically,the Netherlands. Here, models for production and consumption, on the onehand, and biodiversity, on the other, were linked. In addition, anoperational model was developed and calculations of consumption and theeffect of policy options as an example were carried out. In thisimproved indicator, all influences of the inhabitants of the Netherlandsare important. These comprise not only land-use, but also climatechange, land distribution, pollution, use of (fresh) water,bio-exploitation (e.g. hunting and fishing) and biological disruption(e.g. introduction of strange species). The effect on biodiversity isexpressed in the Natural Capital Index (NCI), which was developed anddiscussed under the Convention on Biological Diversity. In principle,the NCI enables the assessment of both habitat loss and loss of qualityin the remaining natural area as a result of climate change, fisheriesand logging. The model links the relationship between the consumption ofspecific products, sectors and individuals to the global loss of naturalcapital in terms of a single indicator. Results will be used to supportthe discussion on the ecological footprint and how it can beoperationalized.