Download Final Report Appendix 2b - climate change

APPENDIX 2B: APPROACHES TO CLIMATE CHANGE IN THE NETHERLANDS (SCENARIOS, MITIGATION,
IDENTIFYING RISKS, ADAPTATION)
Table 1: Forecasting climate change (Netherlands)
Topic
Approach
Key organisations/institutions
involved in forecasting climate
change
1.
Netherlands Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management: this
(national) Ministry does not conduct climate change forecasting, but is the main financial
contributor to climate change forecasting in the Netherlands
2. Netherlands Ministry for Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment: this (national)
Ministry does not conduct climate change forecasting, but does financially promote research
programs to strengthen the knowledge infrastructure with regards to climate change forecasting
3. National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM): mainly focuses on
climate change forecasting on the international level and analyzing the effects of (mitigation)
measures taken to influence climate change. The RIVM is a semi-governmental organization and
receives funding from the national government
4. Royal Dutch Meteorological Institute (KNMI): mainly focuses on the beta-side of climate
change forecasting and concentrates on observation and monitoring. The KNMI develops
scenario’s with regard to precipitation, wind above the Noordzee, temperature and cloudiness.
The KNMI is a semi-governmental organization and receives funding from the national government
5. Netherlands Energy Research Foundation (ECN): the emphasis of climate change
forecasting at ECN lies on both detecting the (in)direct effect of aerosols on the radiation balance
and the development and implementation of a monitor for the verification of green house gas
emissions in the Netherlands and Europe.
6. Climate Change and Biosphere Research Centre – Wageningen University and
Research Centre (CCB Wageningen UR): climate change forecasting at the CCB Wageningen
UR mainly focuses on mechanisms of climate change, e.g. research on the role of land cover in the
regional energy and water balance and biogeochemical cycles and research on and monitoring of
the formation and emission of Greenhouse Gases. CCB Wageningen UR is part of the University of
Wageningen (NL)
Organisational level at which
climate change forecasting is
taking place
The level at which forecasting is taking place in the Netherlands varies from the global to the regional
level.
In particular RIVM and the CCB Wageningen UR are active at the global and European level. At this
Topic
Approach
level the forecasting is mainly taking place by statistical models looking at the most probable
development of the climate as a whole.
ECN and KNMI are also active at the European level. Both ECN and KNMI focus on more specific
aspects of climate change like effects of emissions of greenhouse gases and aerosols on the climate and
(KNMI) precipitation patterns and cloudiness for large regions within Europe, like Western Europe.
With regards to forecasting at the national and regional level KNMI is the most important institute.
ECN and CCB Wageningen UR also are active at this level. Like at the European level research mainly
focuses on some aspects of climate change, rather than climate change as a whole, e.g. precipitation
patterns and cloudiness. Regions that receive a lot of attention are the Rhine-delta, the North sea and
agricultural areas.
Topic
The methods used for forecasting
Approach
Climate change forecasting in the Netherlands is mainly done by modelling. Scenario’s regarding
emissions of greenhouse gases and changes in land use are often used as input.
The most important models that are used, are:
1. IMAGE-Model: the RIVM and CCB Wageningen UR have played an important part in setting up
this international model; the IMAGE-Model is an integrated, dynamic model for simulating the
global Earth system. It does not specifically focus on climate change in the Netherlands. IMAGE
uses historical data for the 1765-1995 period to initialise the carbon cycle and climate system.
Simulations up to the year 2100 are made on the basis of scenario assumptions. However they are
used for scaling-down information to the Dutch national level
2. Global Circulation Models: these models can be defined as statistical models that look at the
most probable development of the climate. It is a deterministic model. These models are often
used in the Netherlands to analyse global climate change, but do not specifically focus on climate
change in the Netherlands. Like the IMAGE-model information from the GCM is sometimes used
to scale-down information to the Dutch national level.
3. Intermediate Complexity Climate Model – SPIDO: this model is mainly used by KNMI and
can be defined as a simplified climate model; unlike GCM and IMAGE, this model focuses on how
variable and sensitive the climate is. It is mainly used to forecast climate change at the level of
European or Dutch regions.
4. Regional Atmospheric Climate Models (RACMO): these models can also be defined as
statistical models. They are like GCM’s but zoom in on smaller regions like Western-Europe or the
Netherlands. Uses emission scenarios to define climate change scenarios.
5. Trajectory Model: a technical model, aimed at monitoring the composition of the atmosphere
(ozone, CFK’s) and the greenhouse effect through the use of satellite pictures. Mainly focuses on
trends in concentrations. Aims at global as well as regional changes and results/is resulting in an
archive with information on de development of the most important greenhouse gases.
Topic
The outputs produced
Availability of outputs
Approach
In general the regularity of forecasting depends on the project the forecast is part of. Time scales can
range from seasonal to centennial.
Specifically with regards to the Trajectory Model the KNMI has started to produce daily 5-day
forecasts of evolution of the ozone layer, based on chemical analyses.
Dutch forecasting mainly focuses on precipitation (also in relation to evaporation), cloudiness and
radiation, temperature and wind.
Most models result in both numerical data which is translated in maps. The resolution of these maps
differs. Grid areas for GCM’s are usually 300 km’s by 300 km’s. Although IMAGE 2.2 is global in
application, it performs many of its calculations either on a high-resolution terrestrial 0.5 by 0.5 degree
grid or for the 17 world regions. The resolution of the RACMO, SPIDO and TM is closer to 50 km’s
by 50 km’s.
Output of climate change forecasting is not available from the internet. Forecasting institutions need to
be contacted for more specific information.
The websites of the different organisations only have general information on data, products and models
used. Some data, products and models can be ordered others can be downloaded. For some of the
downloadable products or models you need to register yourself.
In most cases, if one needs specific information about climate change in a specific area, one needs to
contact the institute or organization.
Topic
Approach
Compatibility with spatial
planning
A lot of the models that are used in the Netherlands produce information on the development of
precipitation and the chance of extreme precipitation at quite a low resolution (50 km’s by 50 km’s)
this equals the size of the waterboard areas or the “Randstad” area (area in the West of the
Netherlands composed out of the four Biggest cities – Amsterdam, Rotterdam, the Hague and Utrecht
and the country side and smaller cities, towns and villages around and in between). This makes it
possible to show whether or not adjustments to dike systems and water structures should take place
and where.
It is also possible to show what the frequency will be of the occurrence of fog, snow blizzards or
extreme wind speeds in specific Dutch regions. This information is used for (re)constructing
infrastructure and the development of tourism. Especially the KNMI focuses on these kind of high
resolution projections
A summary of the strengths and
weaknesses of climate change
forecasting (from here onwards)
Strengths:

Climate change research in Netherlands stands out
because of the quality of observations and analyses,
especially with regard to statistical measurements,
long timelines and cloud-radiation

Not only focuses on means of climate change, but
also on extremes and the variability of the climate

Very far in analysing the effects of chains of models,
especially climate models and hydrological models.
Climate change forecasting is getting more and more
focused on applied research, meaning that in stead of
forecasting pure for scientific reasons, forecasting is
being done more and more to provide information at
the local level about possible climate changes in
order for local governments or institutions to be able
to attune their plans in the most optimal and
effective way;

Monitoring the atmospheric composition through
satellites. Paul Krutzen even won a Nobel Prize for
Chemistry in 1995 with regards to this subject (he
was connected to the Utrecht University, Institute
for Marine and Atmospheric Sciences)
Weaknesses:

interaction within climate models,
particularly between clouds,
precipitation and radiation. This is
mainly due to firstly the fact that the
grid areas of the models are too large,
while the interaction takes place at a
much lower level, secondly because of
the use of wrong parameters and
thirdly to short timelines.

a lot of climate models reach a
deadlock: when dryness occurs, in
most models this will lead to decrease
of precipitation and further occurrence
of dryness, in reality the system is
balanced again by external streams

not much is known about how to use
the knowledge on insecurities in
forecasting to make decisions about for
example spatial planning; the KNMI is
working on how to do this

insecurity surrounding projections for
Topic
Approach

Any indication of future work
planned in climate change
forecasting
evaporation is larger than insecurity
surrounding temperature; this is
caused by insecurities in (global)
climate models, insecurities in methods
used for local effect calculations,
insufficiently dispersed weather- or
measuring stations, ill maintenance of
instruments and wrong economic or
demographic (growth)numbers; to
cope with these insecurities forecasting
institutions like KNMI incorporated
extreme high and low expected levels
(both temperature and evaporation) in
there projections
little is known in the Netherlands
about geographical areas that do not
exist in the Netherlands, like mountain
areas.
An interesting development that has just occurred is the initiative “Platform Communication in Climate
Change” (PCCC). The main aim of the PCCC is to enlarge the quality, effectiveness and efficiency of
communication (especially between scientific research centers) on climate (change) in the Netherlands.
Next to that in the future even more attention will be given to adaptation and the usefulness of the
output of climate change models and scenarios. This can be seen in the BSIK-programme that is being
set up at this moment. This program aims at strengthening the Dutch knowledge economy and tries to
stimulate projects in which the corporate world and scientific institutions cooperate. One of the
projects is the project called “Climate for Space, Space for Climate” that aims at strengthening the
knowledge infrastructure between climate-experts and spatial planning experts. A big part of the
program the KNMI is involved in for example concentrates on “tailoring climate scenarios”. Casestudies focus on:
the effect of precipitation patterns on water levels in the Rhine delta and what measures it calls for
precipitation patterns and the effects on sewage systems
precipitation patterns and the effects on water levels in waterboard districts and measures needed
to cope with these changes
Topic
Approach
cloudiness and the effects on the use of solar energy
North sea winds and the effect on tourism and coastal buildings
The National Government will finance half of the program (€40 million) and the other half will be
financed by institutions that are involved. The actual research will start in September 2004.
New models are being set up, this concerns mainly high resolution models like for example the
HIRLAM (High Resolution Limited Area Model). More attention will also be paid to relating local
statistics to the RACMO-model, resulting in very small-scale climate models (resolution 25 km by 25
km). For now this is mainly proposed for waterboards and their districts. Next tot that models will be
set up that relate clouds and thunder and models that relate wind and precipitation.
Finally, the European cooperation will be strengthened.
-
Key documents used
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
http://arch.rivm.nl/ieweb/ieweb/index.html (NL + EN)
http://www.ecn.nl/sf/products/env_air/index.en.html (NL + EN)
http://www.knmi.nl/onderzk/index-nl.html (NL + EN)
http://www.wageningen-ur.nl/ccb/ (NL + EN)
http://www.dow.wau.nl/msa/wimek/ (NL + EN)
Interview with Mr. B van den Hurk, from the KNMI, at March 29th 2004
Table 2: Mitigation (Netherlands)
Topic
Key organisations/institutions
involved in producing/providing
information on mitigation of
climate change
Approach
The main actors with regard to mitigation are:

Netherlands Ministry of Spatial Planning, Housing and the Environment (Ministerie
van VROM), Directorate General Environment, Dept. Climate policy: This Department
is the main responsible for overall mitigation policies and measures

Netherlands Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management (Ministerie
van V&W): This Ministry is specifically responsible for reduction of emissions from transportation

Netherlands Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (Ministerie van LNV):
this Ministry is specifically responsible for the reduction of emissions form the agricultural sector.
Policies focus on freigth traffic with regards to agriculture, emissions from the cattle industry (e.g.
methane), emissions resulting from fertilizing ground and emissions resulting from swamps and peat
areas

Ministry of Economical Affairs (ministerie van EZ): This Ministry is mainly focusing on
reduction of CO2-emissions and energy affairs
Municipalities are also getting more and more active with regards to mitigation, this is especially caused
by the world conferences “Think global, act local”. Municipalities also give subsidies to enhance
mitigation measures.
The National Government tries to support the municipalities and provinces in achieving mitigation via
two agencies:

Netherlands Agency for Energy and the Environment (NOVEM) (is part of the Ministry of
Economic Affairs): advises both provinces and municipalities on how they can promote energy
savings and enhance the use of sustainable energy

National DuBo-Center (National Centre for Sustainable Building) (is supported by both
the Ministry for Housing, Spatial planning and the Environment and the Association for Dutch
Municipalities): advises on what individuals, governments and corporate institutions can do with
regards to sustainable building and sustainable development; focuses on housing, corporate
buildings, urban design and development of ground, roads and waterways. To help individuals,
governments and corporate institutions achieve sustainable building the DuBo-centre has set up
Measure packages Sustainable Building (order via DuBo-centre)
Topic
Organisational level at which
information on climate change
mitigation is prepared
What topics does mitigation
information cover?
Compatibility with spatial
planning
Approach
Information on climate change mitigation is prepared on all levels. On the national level the ministries
integrate the global (Kyoto-protocol) and European policies and guidelines into their own national
policies and plans. The provinces and municipalities on their turn translate the national policies and
guidelines into local ambitions and activities. However, a lot of the policies at the national levels are
guidelines and not obligations. “Lower” governments are therefore quite free in filling in the framework
the national policies sets out.
General topics:

Reduction of emissions of fossil fuels

Increase in availability and use of sustainable energy sources
Target sectors:

the built environment: housing (old and new), public/government buildings and company buildings

trade and services

traffic: mobility, transport and infrastructure

agriculture

industry

energy and waste disposal
(The Netherlands’ Climate Policy Implementation Plan; Part I: Measures in the Netherlands (1999);
Brochure Climate change: the Dutch Policy (2000); Fourth National Environment Plan (Vierde
Nationaal milieubeleidsplan) (2001); “Consistent values, new forms, Environmental policy 2002-2006”
(Vaste waarden, nieuwe vormen, Milieubeleid 2002 -2006) (2002)(whereas the Fourth National Plan
focuses on long term ambitions, the note focuses on short term ambitions))
Yes, especially the NOVEM en National Dubo-centre focus on how provinces, municipalities and
civilians can contribute to climate change mitigation through sustainable urban development and
sustainable building. They give guidelines and hand out examples of measures that provinces,
municipalities and civilians can apply.
Topic
What is the country doing in
practice to mitigate against
climate change
Approach
General
The main goal of the national government on the long term is to achieve a transition to a sustainable
energy management and a further reduction of CO2 emissions. This goal is laid down in the Fourth
National Environment Plan and the governmental note “Consistent values, new forms, Environmental
policy 2002-2006”.
Next to that mitigation policies are laid down in Parts 1 and 2 of the Climate Policy Implementation
Plan (CPIP), issued in 1999 and 2000. This Plan mainly sets out how the Netherlands are to meet the
Kyoto commitment. Half of the required emission reductions is achieved by domestic measures and
half by measures abroad with flexible instruments from the Kyoto-protocol
The domestic measures are laid down in part one of the Implementation Plan. It defines three packages
of measures (maatregelpakketten): a basic-, a reserve- and an innovation package. The basic package
contains measures which can be taken now and which offer a reasonable degree of certainty.
The reserve package contains measures that will be prepared and that can be taken if things go awry
during the run-up to the 2008-2012 period. Policies may be less successful than is currently assumed,
or external circumstances may turn out less favorably than expected. The reserve package gives an
added edge of certainty that the commitment to reduce emissions will actually be met. The third
package contains initiatives intended to lead to innovation. It is expected that further reductions of
greenhouse gas emissions will be needed after 2008-2012. The innovation package contains steps that
the Netherlands will take to prepare for that situation. The packages not only focus on CO2 emissions
but also on other greenhouse gases: thereby it connects to the Reduction program for Other
Greenhouse gases (Reductieprogramma Overige Broeikasgassen – ROB) (www.robklimaat.nl), which
uses incentives like special tax tariffs, subsidies and bounties to reduce emissions of “other”
greenhouse gases and stimulates research on new technologies.
The measures that have an international focus, are incorporated in Part 2 of the Implementation Plan,
they are: Joint Implementation, Clean development Mechanism and International Emissions Trading
In the Implementation Plan it was also announced that there would be 'evaluation moments' in 2002
and 2005. The first one has taken place and has resulted in the following report “The progress of the
Netherlands climate change policy: an assessment at the 2002 evaluation moment”. This report
assesses whether the implementation of policies and the actual reduction in emissions are on course
for reaching the Kyoto target, whether external circumstances have changed, how international climate
policies have evolved, and whether new possibilities for reducing emissions have been developed will
also be assessed at the evaluation moments.
To check if the implementation of policies is actually taking place and is effective, the DirectorateGeneral Environment of the Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment has set up a
evaluation system to measure the implementation of the mitigation policies, this system is called the
“Meer Jaren programma Milieu” or Multiple Years Program Environment and is coupled to the Fourth
National Environment Plan.
Next to that the National Institute RIVM (National Institute for Public Health and the Environment)
Topic
Approach
Households (share in total greenhouse gas emissions is 9%)

the Construction order 2003 (national law) holds rules on energy efficiency in new buildings
(thermal isolation, restriction of air permeability and energy performance)

A National Measure package Sustainable Building Housing (Nationaal Pakket Woningbouw) has
been set up for new and existing housing, holding possible measures to diminish negative effects on
the environment of designing, building and managing new and existing housing, measures relate to
materials, use of energy, use of water and the environment inside and outside the house

Energy Performance Advice (EPA): gives home owners and renters insight into attractive
possibilities for saving energy; households that actually take measures to conserve energy can
receive a premium

Energy Performance on Location (EPL): policy aimed at the construction of efficient energy supply
systems at the neighbourhood level (district heating, combined heat and power, heat pumps)

Energy Performance Norm (EPN): Since 1995 applications for building permits need to be
accompanied by a calculation following the Energy Performance Norm (EPN). With this method
the energy use of buildings is being expressed in a dimensionless coefficient: the energy
performance coefficient (EPC), which does not have a relation with the form of a building. A low
EPC indicates that a building is using less energy or uses energy in a more efficient way. The EPC’s
of different buildings are comparable; the EPC’s for new buildings are higher than the EPC for
existing buildings

energy tax is being raised gradually, making energy savings measures more and more attractive to
households

an energy bounty has been made available (from the revenue raised by the energy tax) to reward
purchasers of the most energy efficient appliances (household appliances with an A-label); this also
includes renewable energy/photovoltaic

special provisions in the energy tax stimulate the use of Green Energy, energy used from the
renewable source. This kind of energy is free of energy tax when its supplied as a separate product
to small scale energy users

eco-teams have been set up to inform consumers about how changes in behaviour and lifestyle can
have a large impact on households’ individual energy use (directly, but also energy used associated
with the production of the goods and services that households consume
(The Netherlands’ Climate Policy Implementation Plan; Part I: Measures in the Netherlands (1999);
Brochure Climate change: government measures in households (2000); Fourth National Environment
Plan (2001); “Consistent values, new forms, Environmental policy 2002-2006” (2002); Construction
Order 2003; National Measure package Sustainable Building Housing (2003))
Topic
Approach
Trade and services (share in total greenhouse gas emissions is 4%)

companies covered by the general administrative orders based on the Environmental Management
Act have to demonstrate which energy measures they have taken; all profitable measures must be
taken and if necessary the authorities can impose profitable measures (with a further requirement)

a National Measure package Sustainable Building Commercial and Industrial Buildings (Nationaal
Pakket Utiliteitsbouw) has been set up for new commercial and industrial buildings and the
management of existing buildings, holding possible measures to diminish negative effects on the
environment of designing, building and managing new and existing buildings, measures relate to
materials, use of energy, use of water and the environment inside and outside the buildings

Energy Performance Advice (EPA): can help identify measures; owners and users of buildings who
make use of the EPA and tale measures (and who are obliges tot pay corporate or personal income
taxes) will be eligible for a tax break via the energy investment tax credit

Energy Performance Norm (EPN): Since 1995 applications for building permits need to be
accompanied by a calculation following the Energy Performance Norm (EPN) and energy
performance coefficient (EPC). The EPC’s for new buildings are higher than the EPC for existing
buildings. The EPC’s for public/government and company buildings are higher than the EPC’s for
housing

special provisions in the energy tax stimulate the use of Green Energy, energy used from the
renewable source. This kind of energy is free of energy tax when its supplied as a separate product
to small scale energy users
(The Netherlands’ Climate Policy Implementation Plan; Part I: Measures in the Netherlands (1999);
Brochure Climate change: government measures in the sector trade, services and government (2000);
Fourth National Environment Plan (2001); “Consistent values, new forms, Environmental policy 20022006” (2002); National Measure package Sustainable Building Commercial and Industrial Buildings
(2003))
Topic
Approach
Traffic

a National Measure package Sustainable Building Ground-, Road and Water building (Nationaal
Pakket Duurzaam Bouwen Grond-, Weg- en Waterbouw) has been set up for the development of
ground, roads or waterways, holding possible measures to diminish negative effects on the
environment of designing, building and managing ground, roads and waterways, measures relate to
materials, use of energy, use of water and effects on nature, landscape and the environment

agreements with car manufacturers to reduce emission of CO2 per kilometre of new cars by 2008
with 0,4 Mtonnes

introduction of labels indicating CO2 emission, fuel consumption and relative fuel efficiency of new
passenger cars (labels are similar tot those used for refrigerators and washing machines) with
regards to differentiation of the vehicle purchase tax and bounties for energy efficient cars.

road pricing plans to improve access to the large cities (energy savings and reductions in CO2
emissions are a side-effect)

policies aimed at locations: service industries and other industries and companies that attract a lot
of people need to be located close to public transport, car-dependent industries like distribution
companies need to be located close to highways

discouragement of commuter traffic: tax deductions for the cost of commuting in a private car is
being eliminated, and the standard deduction for the costs of commuting by public transport is
being lowered proportionately

discouragement of personal use of company cars: the income imputed for using a company car for
private purposes is being differentiated. The imputed income will be lower for fewer than average
personal kilometres

exemption tax private cars (Belasting Personen Motorvoertuigen – BPM) for hybrid cars

encouragement of carpooling

stricter control of speed limits on highways: lower speeds mean less emission of CO2

encouragement of more fuel efficient driving behaviour, through monitoring instruments on the
dashboard like econometer, computer for fuel consumption and cruise control (their value is
excluded from the base used to calculate the purchase tax), through agreements with car
manufacturers and garage industries to install these instruments standard in new cars and through
public information campaigns like “The New Driving” (“Het Nieuwe Rijden”)campaign

higher tire pressures are promoted (they reduce road friction and with it fuel consumption)
through public information campaigns and agreements with the car and garage industries
(The Netherlands’ Climate Policy Implementation Plan; Part I: Measures in the Netherlands (1999);
Brochure Climate change: government measures in the traffic sector (2000); Fourth National
Environment Plan (2001); “Consistent values, new forms, Environmental policy 2002-2006” (2002);
National Measure package Sustainable Building Ground-, Road and Water building (2003))
Topic
Approach
Agriculture

encouragement of energy saving by energy-investment deductions (Energie-investeringsaftrek –
EIA)

arrangement arbitrary amortization environment-investments (regeling willekeurige afschrijving
milieu-investeringen - VAMIL)

small scale cogeneration (combined production of heat and power with use of the heat in a useful
application)

improved productivity (more production per square meter)

policies pertaining to manure and ammonia emissions

special tariffs for glasshouse horticulture with regards to ecotax

environmental covenant (runs until 2010) with the greenhouse horticulture sector addressing the
following goals:
further introduction of energy saving techniques in greenhouses
a rise in the number of energy efficient greenhouses through restructuring, relocating and new
construction
increasing supplies of residual heat
increasing supplies of CO2 for fertilization so that natural gas use exclusively for fertilization
purposes will decline
expert and sharp energy management
(The Netherlands’ Climate Policy Implementation Plan; Part I: Measures in the Netherlands (1999);
Brochure Climate change: government measures in the agricultural sector (2000); Fourth National
Environment Plan (2001); “Consistent values, new forms, Environmental policy 2002-2006” (2002))
Topic
Approach
Industry

a National Measure package Sustainable Building Commercial and Industrial Buildings (Nationaal
Pakket Utiliteitsbouw) has been set up for new commercial and industrial buildings and the
management of existing buildings, holding possible measures to diminish negative effects on the
environment of designing, building and managing new and existing buildings, measures relate to
materials, use of energy, use of water and the environment inside and outside the buildings

encouragement of energy saving by energy-investment deductions (Energie-investeringsaftrek –
EIA)

arrangement arbitrary amortization environment-investments (regeling willekeurige afschrijving
milieu-investeringen - VAMIL)

industrial cooperation in optimizing the product life cycle, external logistics and sustainable
commercial sites

encouragement of increase use of renewable energy

encouragement of more efficient use of HFC’s and PFC’s

encouragement of reduction of PFC emissions during the production of primary aluminium, e. g.
through better leak prevention and return systems

encouragement of reduction of HFC in the chemical industry through e.g. the installation of an
afterburner, better leak prevention and return systems

in order to make it possible for companies to deliver the performance being asked of them fiscal
incentive programs have been introduced: e.g. the budget of the energy investment tax credit has
been raised and extra funds have been made available to support projects in which residual heat is
utilized
(The Netherlands’ Climate Policy Implementation Plan; Part I: Measures in the Netherlands (1999);
Brochure Climate change: government measures in industry (2000); Fourth National Environment Plan
(2001); “Consistent values, new forms, Environmental policy 2002-2006” (2002); National Measure
package Sustainable Building Commercial and Industrial Buildings (2003))
Topic
A summary of the strengths and
weaknesses of the country’s
approach to mitigation
Approach
Energy and waste disposal

encouragement of energy saving by energy-investment deductions (Energie-investeringsaftrek –
EIA)

arrangement arbitrary amortization environment-investments (regeling willekeurige afschrijving
milieu-investeringen - VAMIL)

introduction of the Law Environmental Quality Electricity Production (Wet milieukwaliteit
elektriciteitsproductie – MEP)

voluntary agreement with owners of coal-fired power plants to reduce CO2 emissions, mainly
through increase of use of renewable energy like biomass instead of the coal currently used as fuel.

encouragement of more efficient use of coal and gas

utilization of residual heat from new electric capacity
(The Netherlands’ Climate Policy Implementation Plan; Part I: Measures in the Netherlands (1999);
Brochure Climate change: government measures in the sector energy and waste disposal (2000);
Fourth National Environment Plan (2001); “Consistent values, new forms, Environmental policy 20022006” (2002))
Strengths
Weaknesses

A strength is that the Dutch government still has the

There exists a lot of insecurity
opinion that that climate policy is a must and unlike other
about how the race between on
countries tries to find solution to actually reduce
the one hand growth in number
emissions, even though an actual reduction is hard to
and volume of especially the
achieve. Especially because easy measures have already
number of cars and on the other
been applied (e.g. reduction of CO2 emissions), but
hand technological development
further reduction of emissions of e.g. CH4 or methane
should be approached. Are
requires more difficult measures
technological developments sound

Another strength is that Dutch mitigation not only
enough to reduce the growing
focuses on the national but also the provincial and local
number of cars and the emissions
level to reduce emissions and promote a more efficient
that result from that?
use of energy. The NOVEM and DuBo-centre play

Next to that it seems that the
important roles in distributing information about possible
number of households that aim at
mitigation measures. The Ministry of Housing, Spatial
an efficient use of energy is getting
planning and Environment also tries to set a good
smaller. A lot of households lack
example: the building the Ministry is situated in is well
consciousness surrounding energy
connected by public transport and build in a sustainable
efficiency. In spite of the money
Topic
Approach
way
A strength of the countries approach to mitigation is also
that it is very broad: it focuses on different sectors that
take part in activities that lead to climate change
Any indication of future work
planned on climate change and
mitigation
Key documents used
they have to make extra

investments, a lot of households
refuse to spend more than
necessary, just because they want
the freedom to spend it on
anything they like and there are so
many other things to spend money
on.
There are no totally new developments to be expected in the near future. The road that has already
been laid out, will be followed. Little adjustments might take place as a result from the different
monitoring activities.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
http://www.vrom.nl (NL + EN)
http://minlnv.nl (NL + EN)
http;//www.ez.nl (NL + EN)
http://www.verkeerenwaterstaat.nl/?lc=uk&page=5 (NL + EN)
www.dubo-centrum.nl (NL)
www.novem.nl (NL)
www.robklimaat.nl (NL + EN)
Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment (1999), The Netherlands’ Climate Policy
Implementation Plan; Part I: Measures in the Netherlands (NL + EN)
Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment (2000), The Netherlands’ Climate Policy
Implementation Plan; Part II: Cooperation with foreign countries (NL + EN)
Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment (2000), Brochure Climate change:
government measures in households (NL + EN)
Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment (2000), Brochure Climate change:
government measures in industry (NL + EN)
Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment (2000), Brochure Climate change:
government measures in the agricultural sector (NL + EN)
Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment (2000), Brochure Climate change:
government measures in the sector energy and waste disposal (NL + EN)
Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment (2000), Brochure Climate change:
government measures in the sector trade, services and government (NL + EN)
Topic
Approach
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment (2000), Brochure Climate change:
government measures in the traffic sector (NL + EN)
Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment (2000), Brochure Climate change: the
Dutch policy (NL + EN)
Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment (2002), The progress of the Netherlands
climate change policy: an assessment at the 2002 evaluation moment (NL + EN)
Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment (2002), Note Vaste waarden, nieuwe
vormen; Milieubeleid 2002-2006 (NL)
Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment (2002), Where there’s a will, there’s a
world, Fourth National Environmental Policy Plan (NMP 4) (in this plan the Multiple Years Program
Environment is integrated) (NL + EN)
RIVM (2003), Environmental Balance 2003 (NL + EN)
Stichting Bouwresearch (2003), National Measure package Sustainable Building Commercial and
Industrial Buildings (2003))
Stichting Bouwresearch (2003), National Measure package Sustainable Building Commercial and
Industrial Buildings
Stichting Bouwresearch (2003), National Measure package Sustainable Building Housing
Stichting Bouwresearch (2003), National Measure package Sustainable Development
Table 3: Climate change risks/impacts identified for each major sector (Netherlands)
Topic
Key organisations/institutions involved in
providing information on risks/impacts on key
sectors
Approach









Netherlands Ministry of Spatial Planning, Housing and the Environment
(Ministerie van VROM), Directorate-General Space, Dept. Water, Green
space and Economic Affairs and the Directorate-General External Safety:
these departments of the Ministry are the most important ones focusing on
identification of general risks and impacts and in particular on possible risks to the
built environment and people living in certain areas
Netherlands Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management
(Ministerie van V&W): This Ministry is mainly responsible for identifying risks
concerning water and effects on infrastructure
Netherlands Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (Ministerie
van LNV): this Ministry is mainly responsible for identifying risks with regards to
agriculture and nature
National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM): this
institute and especially the Environmental- and Nature Planning Bureau that is part of
it, is closely related to the Ministry of VROM and the Ministry of Public Health, Wellbeing and Sport (VWS) and conducts broad research on risks of climate change, e.g.
impacts on water, agriculture, vegetation and public health. The results of the
research is laid down in he annual Environmental Balance
Different Institutes connected to the Ministry of V&W, like the National
Institute for Sweetwater Management and Treatment of Disposal Water
(RIZA), National Institute for the Coast and Sea (RIKZ) and the Dept.
Road and Water building (DWW): focus on identifying risks related to water
and risks of flooding
Dutch Economical Institute (NEI) (a non-governmental agency): focuses on
research on effects of climate change on the economy and business
Agriculture Economical Institute (LEI) (part of the University of
Wageningen, NL): focuses on research on effects of climate change on agriculture
ALTERRA (part of the University of Wageningen, NL): focuses on research
on effects of climate change on nature and green spaces and looks at all aspects that
relate to that as well
Central Planning Bureau (CBP) (Part of the Ministry of Economic Affairs):
Topic
Organisational level at which information on
risks/impacts on key sectors is prepared
Approach
focuses mainly on research on effects of climate change on water and flood risks
As can be seen above most research on risks and impacts is being done by national
institutes. However their research does focus on the local and regional level as well as
the national level. The Institutes form the Ministry of V&W for example focus on the
risks of flooding within dikerings (areas surrounded by dikes) and the risk that dikes will
“explode” or break again because of dryness, like happened during last years dry summer.
The RIVM for example looks at the harmful effects of water and heat to buildings.
Only recently a new initiative has come up: the provinces of North- and South-Holland
have conducted a study, called “Vision on the Dutch coast 2050” on the relation between
safety and spatial planning along the coast line, resulting in a list of weak links on the coast
line. The safety of these weak links will probably diminish within 20 years. Also important
spatial issues are going on at these weak spots, mostly the spatial quality is at risk. This
has resulted only recently in a “development perspective” for the coast line of South
Holland (see “Adaptation”)
Sector
The sectors that are
mentioned here do not
follow from a National
Impact Program as that
does not exist, but are
the main themes of the
note “Consistent values,
new forms”, the
Environmental Balance
2003 and Nature
Balance 2003
Impacts/Risks
Topic
Which sectors are covered?
Approach
Environmental Flora and fauna




Cultural heritage and
landscapes


Social
Housing



Public health



due to inland flow of salt water in dry periods salt and
sweet water mix, which causes some sweet water species
to decline in number;
some species that live on dry land will decline in number
due to flooding of these lands;
due to warmer temperatures year round, some species
(especially birds) will not spend winters in the
Netherlands anymore because Nordic countries meet
their conditions as well
high temperatures have caused the start of the growing
season of plants and flowers to take place 3 or 4 weeks
earlier than it did in the first half of the 20th century
extreme weather conditions ask for different approaches
to the protection of historic buildings (long warm, dry
periods can cause thatched roofs to burn more easily)
flooding can damage cultural landscapes of high value
due to flooding of rivers houses will be damaged. Worst
case scenario’s are that levels rise fast and high and lead to
drowning of civilians (like during the flood in 1953)
due to disappearance or erosion of beaches and dunes,
houses along the coastal line may have to be moved or
broken down
extreme precipitation can cause sewage systems to
disrupt leading to flooding of houses and backyards
due to smog that is enhanced by climate changes and
greenhouse gases, more people will get difficulties in
breathing or respiratory diseases like asthma
increased mortality because of heat waves
increased harmful ultraviolet exposure because of thinning
of the ozone layer
Topic
Approach
Economic
Agriculture






Tourism sector



high temperatures have caused the start of the growing
season of plants and flowers to take place 3 or 4 weeks
earlier than it did in the first half of the 20th century
increased temperatures will benefit horticulture because
of les energy (heating) use and possibility to cultivate more
species
elevated CO2 levels and temperatures will result in
increased rates of photosynthesis and hence increased
rates of crop development, especially for sugar beet and
carrot, except for cauliflower and fruit trees
long dry periods can lead to constrains in watering
farmland, which has a negative effects on crops
flooding of rivers and farmlands nearby can destroy crops
and cattle and therewith has a negative effect on the
income of farmers and the food supply
due to inland flow of salt water in dry periods salt and
sweet water mix, which can have detrimental effects on
certain crops;
disappearance or erosion of beaches and dunes disrupts
the tourism sector: there’s less space along the coastline
for beach resorts, sunbathing, beach cabins, beach clubs
and boulevards
higher mean temperatures may result in an increase of
outdoor activities
indirect effects depending on direct effects on freshwater
systems and flora and fauna
Topic
Approach
Industry



Traffic/infrastructure





A summary of the strengths and weaknesses
of the country’s approach to identifying
risks/impacts in key sectors
due to water shortages in dry periods electricity plants
and water dependent industries have to be closed down,
because there is not enough cooling water
socio-economic impact of climate change might result in
changes in demand and consequently in production
due to floods storage areas for dangerous materials might
be affected, resulting in dangerous situations with regards
to safety or economic damage
extreme precipitation can lead to flooding of roads and
railways and causes delays in road and railway transport
extreme winds and precipitation can disrupt air traffic,
resulting in extra costs
extreme precipitation can cause sewage systems to
disrupt leading to flooding of streets, causing traffic jams
resulting in extra costs
flooded roads can cut of villages from “the rest of the
world”
extreme dryness can cause rivers to run dry, which
disrupts shipping
Strengths

A strength of the Dutch approach
to identifying climate change
risks/impacts, is that it is quite
broad and conducted on a regular
bases.

A specific strength is the
identification of risks regarding
rising sea levels and flooding. Water
has always been one of the major
“enemies” of the Dutch, the long
history in defence from water
makes it possible for the Dutch
Weaknesses

A weakness is mainly that research is being
conducted very separately, there is not a
lot of communication between the
different governmental departments that
are conducting research.
Topic
Any indication of future work planned on
identifying impacts/risks
Key documents used
Approach
government to identify risks and
impacts in a effective and fast way

A strength is also that identification
of risks is taking place at both the
national and the regional and the
local level, this makes it easier in a
later stage for spatial planners to
attune their activities to what is
actually happening or might happen.
As was mentioned with regards to climate change forecasting even more attention will be
given to adaptation and the usefulness of the output of climate change models and
scenarios. This also results in more research on possible risks and impacts. A first step in
the “right” direction the project called “Climate for Space, Space for Climate” that is part
of the BSIK-program (see climate change forecasting)
(http://www.wau.nl/ccb/index_files/main_files/ICESKIS.html). A big part of the program
the KNMI is involved in for example concentrates on effects of rising water levels in the
Rhine-delta due to increased precipitation, problems occurring in sewage systems due to
increased precipitation, impacts on use of solar energy of increased cloudiness and the
effect on tourism and coastal buildings from increased North sea winds.
Next tot that, at this moment several national governments, provinces and water boards
are working on a dryness study on water policy and water management in periods of
water shortages. The study is expected to result in proposition on how to cope with dry
periods, by implementing structural and optional measures or by accepting damage
(http://www.droogtestudie.nl/).
Finally, it is also expected that more attention will go out to the possible effects of
climate change on public health and the fear that people might develop with regards to
climate change issues.
1. http://www.vrom.nl (NL + EN)
2. http://minlnv.nl (NL + EN)
3. http;//www.ez.nl (NL + EN)
4. http://www.verkeerenwaterstaat.nl/?lc=uk&page=5 (NL + EN)
5. http://www.rivm.nl/en/milieu/ (NL + EN)
6. http://www.rikz.nl/home/NL/index.html (NL)
Topic
Approach
http://www.riza.nl/index_uk.html (NL + EN)
http://www.minvenw.nl/rws/dww/home/engels/index_eng.html (NL + EN)
http://www.nei.nl/ (NL + EN)
http://www.lei.nl/lei_engels/HTML/home.htm (NL + EN)
http://www.alterra.nl/ (NL + EN)
http://www.cpb.nl/eng/research/ (NL + EN)
http://www.wateractueel.nl (NL)
http://www.droogtestudie.nl/ (NL)
http://www.wau.nl/ccb/index_files/main_files/ICESKIS.html (NL)
(mentioned below are the most important impact assessment documents; please look at
the websites above for other interesting impact assessment activities)
16. Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment (2002), Note Vaste
waarden, nieuwe vormen; Milieubeleid 2002-2006 (NL)
17. Provinces of North- and South-Holland (2002), “Vision on the Dutch coast 2050”
18. RIVM (2003), Environmental Balance 2003 (NL + EN)
19. RIVM (2003), Naturebalance (NL + EN)
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
Table 4: Adaptation (Netherlands)
Topic
Key organisations/institutions involved in
producing information on adapting to
climate change
Organisational level at which information
on climate change adaptation is prepared
Approach
Netherlands Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management
(Ministerie van V&W): this ministry is the main political responsible for adaptation.

Netherlands ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment,
Directorate general Space, Dept. Water, Green space and Economic Affairs:
this dept. is specifically responsible for spatial water policies, coastal policies and
regional water policies (focusing on dryness, floods and quality of water). It also advises
the Ministry of V&W in their adaptation policies in order to enhance the attention for
spatial planning .

Netherlands Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (Ministerie
van LNV): focuses on adaptation measures that have to do with the effect of climate
change on the quantity and quality of nature. Also plays an advisory role towards the
Ministry of V& W to make sure that possible effects of floods and dryness on all aspects
of the agriculture and the food industry are being incorporated in the adaptation policies
set out by the Ministry of V & W.

Netherlands Ministry of Economic Affairs: mainly has an advisory role towards the
Ministry of V&W, interferes in order to get attention for economic damage resulting
from floods and dryness
Information on climate change adaptation regarding water is mainly prepared at the national
level. Most waterways and roads are owned by the Ministry of Transport, Public Works and
Water Management, therefore this Ministry is primarily responsible for dealing with
problems and creating solutions for these problems. Next to that there is a lot of
cooperation between the national governments (especially the ministry of V & W and the
Ministry of VROM) and the water district boards: the elaboration and translation of the
general guidelines takes place by the district waterboards, for they are responsible for the
areas within the dikerings.
With regards to other sectors like spatial planning, housing etc. policies and measures are
prepared at the national level, which then act as important guidelines for policies that are
being set up at the provincial or municipal level. In many cases binding deals are being made
between the national governments and provinces, municipalities and other actors involved.
In some cases however initiatives also come from lower governments. For example the
provinces of North- and South-Holland have conducted a study on the relation between

Topic
Approach
safety and spatial planning along the coast line, this has resulted only recently in a
“development perspective” for the coast line of South Holland. In the perspective the
province states its strategy for the coastal defence and focuses on spatial, economic, scenic
and ecological opportunities and effects for the Dutch coast.
Sector
The sectors that are mentioned here do not
follow from a National Adaptation Program
as that does not exist, but are the main
themes of the note “Consistent values, new
forms”, the Environmental Balance 2003 and
Nature Balance 2003
Adaptation Measures
Topic
What sectors does
adaptation information
cover?
Approach
Environmental Water management
general strategy: try to hold the water, if
that doesn’t work try to store the water
and only if that doesn’t work dispose the
water

creation of space for storage and disposal
of water (temporary storage in surface
retention areas; enlargement of amount
of surface water; enlargement of disposal
capacity)

creation of space for water at extreme
weather conditions

digging new rivers alongside the existing
rivers to ease the flow of water and
create more capacity in case of extreme
rainfalls

heighten dikes

move obstacles in or over the waterway
to ease the flow of the river
(the Great Rivers Deltaplan (1996); Fourth
National Waterplan (1998); Waterpolicy in
the 21st century (2000); the Third National
Coastal Policyplan (2000); National
Administrative Agreement on water (2003);
The Disaster Management Strategy for the
Flooding of the Rhine (2003) ); Policyplan
“Space for the river” (draft))

Topic
Approach
Flora and fauna
Cultural heritage
offer species comparable sites elsewhere,
the ecological main structure plays a big
part in this regard

setting priorities straight in dry periods
(nature, agriculture, industry etc)
(Nature for People, People for Nature
(2000); Environmental Balance 2003; Nature
Balance 2003)

heighten dikes around buildings or
landscapes of high cultural value
(the Great Rivers Deltaplan (1996); Fourth
National Waterplan (1998); Waterpolicy in
the 21st century (2000); National
Administrative Agreement on water (2003);
Policyplan “Space for the river” (draft))

use valuable historical aspects like
“terps” or “mounds” to decrease chance
of possible damage caused by flooding
(Belvedere (1999)

enhance the historic coastal line
(heighten or expand dunes)

strengthen coastal defence system to
protect valuable buildings and structures
in towns and cities along the coast
(Third National Coastal Plan)

Topic
Approach
Social
Housing
water is playing an active instead of
passive role in the planning process:
urbanization and asphalted areas can lead
to water problems like abundance in
times of extreme precipitation and can
form obstacles in the distribution to or
between natural areas. The national
government has introduced the
“watertest” or “watertoets” in this
regard. The aim of the watertest is to
prevent negative effects of urbanization
and asphalted areas and make use of
chances the watersytem is offering for
urbanization. In 2003 the watertest was
incorporated in the Law on spatial
planning: each spatial plan has to hold a
watertest.
(Law on Spatial Planning (2003))

remove housing from summer- and
winterbeds

heighten dikes near housing in risky areas
(the Great Rivers Deltaplan (1996); Fourth
National Waterplan (1998); Waterpolicy in
the 21st century (2000); National
Administrative Agreement on water (2003);
Policyplan “Space for the river” (draft))

strengthen coastal defence system to
protect housing along the coast
(Third National Coastal Plan)

Topic
Approach
Public Health
Economic
Agriculture
improved control of climate change
effects

more public information campaigns about
effects of climate changes on health
(Fourth National Environment Plan (2001))

different distribution of water: retaining
water in the ground and using surface
water to water farmland

moving crop, especially sensitive crops to
different locations
(the Great Rivers Deltaplan (1996); Fourth
National Waterplan (1998); Waterpolicy in
the 21st century (2000); National
Administrative Agreement on water (2003);
Policyplan “Space for the river” (draft))

setting priorities straight in dry periods:
looking at different interests (nature,
agriculture, industry etc)
( Fourth National Environment Plan (2001))

Tourism sector
raising of beach levels to make sure
strengthening coastal defence systems to
protect tourist areas and towns along the
coast
(Third National Coastal Plan)


creating more facilities for recreation and
tourism coupled to water, rivers and
lakes
(Nature for People, People for Nature
(2000)

Topic
Approach
Industry
setting priorities straight in dry periods:
looking at different interests (nature,
agriculture, industry etc)
( Fourth National Environment Plan (2001))

obligation to conduct a watertest in case
of a new spatial plan (see above)
(Law on Spatial Planning 2003)

introduction of Very Open Asphaltic
Concrete (ZOAB) to reduce
inconveniences with regards to water

divert main roads if they are in summer
or winter beds

heighten dikes on which infrastructure is
situated
(the Great Rivers Deltaplan (1996); Fourth
National Waterplan (1998); Waterpolicy in
the 21st century (2000); National
Administrative Agreement on water (2003);
Policyplan “Space for the river” (draft))

Traffic/Infrastructure
obligation to conduct a watertest in case
of a new spatial plan (see above)
(Law on Spatial Planning 2003)
The National law on Dikes and Dams holds rules and regulations on the safety issues
surrounding waterways and coast lines. These however are more technical laws
concentrating at heights of dikes etc.
The National Policy plans set up at the national level, like the Fourth National Environmental
Policy Plan (NMP 4) and the Nature policy plan (Nature for people, people for nature) do
set out the main goals with regard to spatial planning in relation to climate change effects,
but these are not mandatory and leave a lot of room for provinces and municipalities to
interpret. For example the structure and situation of the ecological main corridor is set out
in general at the national level, but the exact amount of land or the exact content are to be

What is actually happening in terms of
achieving adaptation
Topic
Compatibility with spatial planning
Approach
decided upon at the local level.
Provincial governments do however have a big say in spatial plans set up by local
governments, they have to approve all plans and can withhold approval if they think some
stakes have not been looked at enough.
Therefore the national government tries to persuade provincial governments into focusing
on issues related to climate change effects in their spatial plans. The national government
also focuses on waterboards and municipalities directly. Adaptation measures are usually
achieved via agreements involving financial input from both the national and provincial
governments. A good example is the activities involved with regard to the development of
the National Policyplan “Space for the River”, which aims at making more space available for
rivers in order to be better able to cope with extreme precipitation and floods.
Rijkswaterstaat, the main responsible for the waterways in the Netherlands, is the main lead
in this plan, which holds a lot of money. The money is used to achieve adaptation, either by
making deals with landowners, to buy land or to heighten or remove dikes.
Other ways in which the national governments tries to persuade “lower” governments and
civilians into helping in adaptation are:

integrating an activity agenda (also for the local level) in the new National Spatial Plan,
which will form the base for new agreements

bounties and subsidies, like the Investment Budget Rural Areas (ILG) and the Regional
Water Subsidies, to stimulate especially farmers and people involved in sand reclamation
The Ministry of VROM is especially focussing on the role spatial planning can play with
regards to the new water management policies, especially the new “Space for the River”.
The Ministry is especially focussing on the context of the river “what qualities does it hold?
What chances/opportunities does it offer?” With the answers to these questions the right
measure, right location and right design/layout can be decided upon.
Quite new is the combination of giving more room to the river and city development. A
municipality will be able to integrate their own goals (like building more houses) with goals
surrounding the “Space for the River” policy. For example by creating a new river alongside
an existing one, more possibilities will exist to build houses along the waterfront (a type of
housing that is very popular in the Netherlands at this moment).
Yes especially with consideration to water a lot of information is provided on what part
water should play in constructing new areas or reconstructing existing areas or landscapes
Topic
A summary of the strengths and
weaknesses of the country’s approach to
adaptation
Approach
in order to minimize the different risks. Other measures to adapt to climate change usually
involve more technical knowledge.
Strengths
Weaknesses

The Dutch government is very far in developing

Although there are a lot of
measures to be able to cope with flooding. Very
policies and measures, at this
positive is the fact that the government focus is
moment concrete elaboration
changing from just dike reinforcement and the
has in many cases not yet
raising of beach levels, to the whole area
taken place. For example, in
surrounding the river or the coast line as a whole.
2003 15 % of the dikes were
More and more policies look at the context and
far from meeting proper
the effect for example a flood might have, instead
standards and the quality and
of just at the chance of flood taking place.
safety of another 35% was

The focus is changing to anticipating instead of
disputable (in part because of
reacting: water is given more space and emergency
a lack of information).
flood areas are created.

There still seems to be a lack

The government is making more and more deals
of consciousness about the
with provincial and regional or local governments,
danger of floods. Even though
this makes it possible to tailor policies to a specific
a big part of the Netherlands
local or regional situation.
is below sea level, most
inhabitants are convinced
flooding will not take place,
on the one hand because of
the smallness of the chance
that it might happen and on
the other hand because of the
trust in the dike system. Next
top that the government is
not providing enough
information and incentives on
what measures can be applied
to diminish the chance of
damage caused by high water
or flooding, e.g. by building
Topic
Any indication of future work planned in
relation to climate change and adaptation
measures
Key documents used
Approach
“waterproof”

Next to that policies and
measures mainly focus on
problems that result from
flooding and extreme
precipitation, much less
attention is given to dryness.
Dryness however is also a
very big problem. More
attention might also be given
to coping with the social en
economical results of flooding
and extreme rainfall: it is not
yet clear how much financial
help should be given to
“victims” and who (national,
provincial or local
government) should give it.
At this moment agreements are being made between several Ministries (especially Ministry
of VROM and Ministry of V & W) about the further development of emergency retention
areas and the claim on space it involves.
Somewhere this year the results will be known of the study on Dutch Dryness Study that is
being conducted momentarily, by the National and Provincial governments and the water
boards. Among other things the study will state what measures can or should be taken to
deal with the effects of dryness. More attention will also go out to studies regarding the
breaking of dikes because of dryness and rising temperatures.
Finally, more attention will be given to the opportunities that exist for tourism in relation to
the growth in number and size of water related areas.
1.
2.
3.
4.
http://www.vrom.nl (NL + EN)
http://minlnv.nl (NL + EN)
http;//www.ez.nl (NL + EN)
http://www.verkeerenwaterstaat.nl/?lc=uk&page=5 (NL + EN)
Topic
Approach
5.
6.
http://www.ruimtevoorderivier.nl (NL)
www.kaderrichtlijnwater.nl (NL)
7.
8.
9.
Law on Dikes and Dams 1996 (Wet op de waterkering)
Law on Spatial Planning 2003 (Wet op de Ruimtelijke Ordening)
Construction order 2003 (Bouwbesluit 2003) (NL + EN)
10.
Commission Water Management 21st century (2000), Advice on Water policy in the
21st century (NL + EN)
National government, provinces, Co-operative Interprovincial Conference
(Samenwerkingsverband Interprovinciaal Overleg), the Union of Dutch Municipalities
(VNG) and the Union of Water Boards (2003), the National Administrative Agreement
on Water
Netherlands Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food quality (2000), National Nature
Policyplan, Nature for People, People for Nature (NL + EN)
Netherlands Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, Netherlands Ministry of
Transport, Public Works and Water Management, Netherlands Ministry on Housing,
Spatial Planning and Environment and Netherlands Ministry on Agriculture, Nature and
Food quality (1999), Cultural heritage policy plan Belvedere (NL)
Netherlands Ministry on Housing, Spatial Planning and Environment (2001), Fourth
national Environment Plan (NL + EN)
Netherlands Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management (1996), The
Great Rivers Delta plan (NL + EN)
Netherlands Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management (1998),
Fourth National Water Plan 1998-2006 (NL + EN)
Netherlands Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management (2000), A
different approach to water, Water Management Policy in the 21st century (NL + EN)
Netherlands Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management (2000),
Third National Coastal Policy plan (NL + EN)
Netherlands Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management (2003), The
Disaster Management Strategy for the Flooding of the Rhine and Maas (NL + EN)
Netherlands Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management,
Netherlands Ministry on Housing, Spatial Planning and Environment and Netherlands
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
Topic
Approach
Ministry on Agriculture, Nature and Food quality (draft policy plan), Space for the
River (NL)
21. RIVM (2003), Environmental Balance 2003 (NL + EN)
22. RIVM (2003), Naturebalance (NL + EN)
Balance between mitigation of and
adaptation to climate change
With regards to policies both mitigation and adaptation get an equal amount of attention
by the national government.
However, mitigation gets less direct government funding than adaptation. Mitigation
measures are mostly paid by waterboards, (car)industries, households etc. Adaptation on
the other hand receives more funding from national governments, in particular the Ministry
of V&W and the Ministry of LNV. The Ministry of VROM plays a minimal role in funding
adaptation measures.
Table 5: Overall conclusions (Netherlands)
Topic
Approach
National/regional funding allocated to climate change
programmes
At this moment most national funding is going out to identification of
risks/impacts ( most important contributors are Ministry of VROM and Ministry
of VWS with regards to the RIVM; the Ministry of V&W with regards to the
water institutes; the Ministry of LNV with regards to the ALTERRA; a big part
also comes from the private sector) and adaptation (the Ministry of V&W is
funding adaptation regarding main waterways; the Ministry of LNV is funding
nature protection and nature development, like the ecological main corridor; the
Ministry of VROM is playing only a minimal role in funding adaptation directly)
Forecasting is mostly funded by the Ministry of V&W. the Ministry of VROM and
the Ministry of EZ are mostly concentrating on expertise and knowledge
programs surrounding forecasting.
Mitigation gets the least amount of funding, most measures have to be paid by
the different sectors, like the waterboards, (car)industry and households.
Regional funding form provinces, municipalities and waterboards mainly focuses
on adaptation.
Focus of country’s approach
Historically mitigation is getting a lot of attention. However, since a couple of
years adaptation is also playing a big role, mainly caused by emergence of flooding
of rivers in the south-eastern part of the Netherlands a couple of years ago.
Nowadays they receive an equal amount of government attention. This also true
for identification of risks/impacts.
Forecasting on the other hands seems to be running behind in all this, receiving
both less attention and less funding over the years.
Because the Dutch policies, measures and forecasting-output focus on the local
level and on not only environmental but also social and economic factors,
forecasting, mitigation- and adaptation policies are very compatible with spatial
planning.
There are several Dutch panels and programmes on climate change that include
both governmental, semi-governmental, non-governmental and scientific
institutions, examples are:
 COOL (Climate OptiOns for the Long term) (www.wau.nl/cool/) – part of
Usefulness for and compatibility with spatial planning
How well integrated is the approach to climate
change across scientists and policy makers
Topic
Brief conclusions on positive/good and negative/poor
aspects of the country’s overall approach to climate change
Approach
the now terminated programme Dutch National Research Programme on
Global Air Pollution and Climate Change (NRP)(www.nop.nl)
 the Dutch Climate Platform (PCCC) (www.wageningen-ur.nl/ccb/PCCC)
 the Netherlands Centre for Climate Research (NCCR)
(www.knmi.nl/onderzk/CKO/index.html).
The BSIK program that is being set up at this moment will also play a big role in
integrating approaches
(http://www.wau.nl/ccb/index_files/main_files/ICESKIS.html).
Country has a very broad approach focussing on all levels (national, regional and
local) and on both mitigation and adaptation. A strength is also that the
governments focus at regional and local level next to the national level:
provinces, municipalities, water boards, private companies, farmers and
households are all involved in achieving both mitigation and adaptation.
A bit worrying is the decreasing amount of attention for forecasting. In the
future more investments could/should be made in forecasting as output can play
a big role in helping local governments and spatial planners into adapting
beforehand on possible climate changes and related effects. With regards to
adaptation the focus should shift from water management to other sectors that
are also influenced by climate change and are getting less or little attention at
this moment.