TME European projects

In this study, time series of environmental expenditures have been analysed for 6 industrial case studies: mining and quarrying, manufacturing, refineries, chemical industries, the base metal sector and the power sector. The time series cover the period 1995 – 2012. Two types of environmental expenditures are studied: investments and operational expenditures. In total, 23 member states of the EU, submit data on environmental expenditures. For environmental investments the data cover most of the years and member states, for operational environmental expenditures, the coverage of data is less abundant.

report "Environmental Expenditures EU_final report" (pdf) >>

databases "Environmental Expenditures EU" (excel) >>

National Policy Dialogue (NPD) on Water-Related Issues in Armenia.

NPD's are the main mechanism within the EU Water Initiative for identifying priority actions and for establishing a multi-stakeholder dialogue with partner countries, including EECCA countries (East Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia). The overall goal of the NPD is to help reaching the Millennium Development Goals (MDG's) related to water in Armenia. Implementation of he project is supported by a Steering Committee.

more info and documents (English, Russian and Armenian) >>

DG Environment of the European Commission has launched a study on the 'Sectoral costs of environmental policy'. The aim of the project is to get a clearer picture of the impact of environmental policy in sectors most affected by environmental policy. It is being carried out by a consortium of VITO (BE), PSI (UK), TME (NL) and Ecologic (DE). Previous studies mainly focussed on the individual impact of one Directive, but in this study we will assess the costs attributable to the environmental policy in its entirety and attempt to identify synergies between individual policies. Analysing the differences between sectors and Member States is a key component of the project. Along with the cost assessment based on environmental protection expenditure data, the drivers for (e.g. policy instruments, marketing strategy, energy savings) and the benefits of (e.g. pollutant reduction) environmental expenditure are examined.

report "Sectoral Costs of Environmental Policy" >>

This report addresses the question to what extent the ex-ante and ex-post estimates of costs to business resulting from EU environmental legislation differ, how these differences can be explained, and what the implications are for cost assessments. This report is the result of a project which involved a literature review, the writing of a methodological paper, six case studies, and an expert workshop. The case studies (which are summarized in Appendix I) were on the following pieces/areas of EU environmental legislation: the Large Combustion Plant Directives, the IPPC Directive, Ozone depleting substances, Car emissions, Packaging and packaging waste and the Nitrates Directive.

report "Ex Post Estimates of Costs of EU Environmental Legislation" >>

report "Case Study Road Transport" >>

The use of differential VAT rates to promote changes in consumption and innovation

This study deals with the likely impacts of differential VAT rates for specific products with recognised environmental benefits. Applying a reduced VAT rate to environmentally preferable products while taxing the less preferable ones at the standard rate could lead to a relative price reduction for the ‘greener’ product and thus stimulate the demand for this product. Likewise, increasing the VAT rate on environmentally harmful products that are currently taxed at a reduced rate might also steer demand and supply in a more sustainable direction.

report "Differential VAT rates to promote changes in consumption and innovation" >>

Risk based reduction of microbial pollution discharge to coastal waters (MARECLEAN)

The project covers the management and treatment of wastewater discharged to the sea, with the objective of avoiding infectious diseases. The microbial seawater quality plays a key role in the sustainable development of coastal areas, given its importance for tourism and shellfish production.

Wastewater discharge after heavy rainfall is the major cause of quality loss. The project aims to solve this problem, thus contributing to implement several Directives (Bathing Waters Directive, Urban Wastewater Directive, Directive for Shellfish Waters and Water Framework Directive). The project also supports the establishment of Integrated Coastal Zone Management.

TME will evaluate the economic impact of the pollution events as well as the economic costs and benefits of the demonstration. At a regional and national scale the project will be a showcase for efficient management of microbial pollution. At the EU level, the Mareclean method will be available for conducting the risk assessment of faecal pollution in coastal areas, for creating local consensus on solutions optimising jointly the environmental and economic benefits. It will be transferable to the 20 EU coastal states, notably on the Atlantic and North Sea, but also on the Mediterranean Sea.

website Mareclean project (French) >>

Ultra Sound treatment of waste water sludge

The aim of the project is to show the technical and economical feasibility of the ultrasound treatment method to reduce the quantity of sludge (= waste) produced in a biological water treatment plant by at least 30 % without a transfer of the environmental pressure, to promote the use of this method and to inform and train its potential end-users. The method is tested at the treatment plant of Saint Sylvain d'Anjou (near Angers, France).

website Sound Sludge project >>

Current and recently finished projects commissioned by Dutch public authorities, organisations and companies.

more info about TME projects >>

CO2L: Carbon Footprint model for companies and products

Sophisticated, yet easy to use model to calculate a carbon footprint of your company, company processes and/or products.

more about CO2L >>

Global footprint for companies

The updated model makes use of (green) energy labels per supplier.

more info (only in Dutch) >>