Six policy options could nearly halve the biodiversity footprint of Dutch food consumption

Following the agreements made at the Kunming-Montreal Biodiversity Summit in 2022, the Netherlands must report on progress in reducing its biodiversity footprint. This raises two key questions: how can that footprint be calculated, and which policies can help to reduce it? In the KOEVOET project, commissioned by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food and Nature (LVVN), a team of researchers explored these questions, focusing on the biodiversity footprint of Dutch food consumption.

Six policy options assessed

The analysis identified six policy options that together could achieve nearly a 50% reduction in the Dutch biodiversity footprint:

• Shifting to the EAT-Lancet diet
• More efficient use of crop protection products
• Improving the sustainability of product origins (due diligence)
• Introducing a greenhouse gas emissions tax
• Expanding protected natural areas to 30% of the Earth’s surface
• Halving food waste in consumption and industry

To assess the effects of these policies on biodiversity, multiple footprint indicators are needed. A single measure, such as the ecological footprint, only provides part of the picture. That’s why KOEVOET uses the Biodiversity Footprint Family Framework (BFFF), which combines indicators for land use, greenhouse gases, water, nutrients, and chemical pollution. This “footprint family” provides a more complete picture of consumption impacts on biodiversity and helps policymakers make integrated choices and monitor progress more effectively.

Halving within reach

The modelling shows that these six policy options combined could reduce the biodiversity footprint of Dutch food consumption by nearly 50% by 2050 – bringing the halving target within reach. However, the researchers stress that this result depends on full implementation of all measures. In practice, effectiveness may be lower if countries apply policies inconsistently or only partially.

Chloë de Vries, international policy researcher, concludes: “Of the six options, the shift to the EAT-Lancet diet – which favours sustainable plant-based foods while retaining some animal products – and halving food waste are the most effective.”

Chemical footprint key to policy choices

The study shows that the chemical footprint makes a major contribution to biodiversity loss. This footprint measures the impact of chemical substances – mainly pesticides – entering soil and water.

The analyses reveal that the impact of chemical pollution is comparable to that of land use and greenhouse gas emissions. This is striking, as chemical pollution is often under-represented in policy and monitoring. Because of its direct and localised effects, pesticide pollution can severely damage ecosystems in the short term.

This insight underlines that tackling biodiversity loss requires not only attention to climate and land use, but also to chemical pollution.

Real risk of a “waterbed effect”

As 60% of the biodiversity footprint of Dutch food consumption occurs outside Europe, international cooperation is crucial. If the Netherlands and Europe implement these measures in isolation, there is a real risk of a “waterbed effect”: companies may relocate production outside Europe to avoid stricter environmental rules. The footprint would then merely shift, rather than disappear.

The researchers emphasise that measures such as a CO₂ tax are only effective as part of a coherent strategy. “A combination of legislation, behavioural change, international coordination and joint investment in clean technologies is essential to structurally reduce the biodiversity footprint and prevent the waterbed effect.”

Policy change

When the KOEVOET study began in 2021, the policy goal was still to halve the Dutch biodiversity footprint by 2050. That ambition has since been dropped – partly due to a change of government and partly because the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) no longer includes specific indicators for reducing the biodiversity footprint of consumption.

Nevertheless, the researchers stress that their analysis shows such a halving is achievable – provided policy is comprehensive and coherent.
“This outcome highlights that there are opportunities, right now, to reverse the biodiversity crisis through integrated policy while making Dutch food consumption more resilient for the future,” says De Vries.

Read the full reports:

• 2025-093: https://doi.org/10.18174/692539
• 2025-094: https://doi.org/10.18174/691598