Abstract

We need raw materials for everything: from clothing and cars to houses and food. However, the extraction and use of those raw materials can be harmful to the environment. In addition, certain raw materials are scarce, or mainly sourced from abroad. In the Netherlands, several ministries are working together on a policy for the sustainable extraction, use, reuse and trading of raw materials. These are the ministries of Economic Affairs (EZ), Foreign Affairs, and Infrastructure and Water Management (IenW).

In support of this policy, the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) has mapped out the information needs of these three ministries with regard to raw materials. It conducted this work in collaboration with the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO), Statistics Netherlands (CBS) and Rijkswaterstaat (RWS), on behalf of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management.

The researchers emphasise that strong collaboration is essential for making effective policy. That, in turn, calls for clear objectives: the ministries must know exactly what they want to achieve, and how they intend to measure the development and impact of those objectives. There is also a need for clear definitions that are used by all stakeholders. For example, it must be clear which products fall within a given product group, such as shoes within the textile product group. It is also important that the ministries reach agreements on the use of data and that all such data are accessible and reliable.

One observation made by RIVM is that much of the information used by the ministries is the same,for example production volumes, material type and CO2 emissions. It is vital that this information be used and interpreted in the same way. If not, the ministries could draw different conclusions from the same figures. With regard to information that is still lacking, it is important that the ministries invest in good and reliable sources of data.

Against that background, together with TNO, CBS and RWS, RIVM has agreed on which definitions will be used and what they mean. In cases where this was not possible, recommendations have been made on future implementation. Agreements were also reached on the use of data.

It also became clear that the topics of security of supply, circularity and sustainability are important for all three ministries. As such, there is a solid basis for cooperation and the development of joint policies. This underlines the importance of ensuring that these measures are coherent and complementary.