17 march 2009 Climate Adaptation in the Netherlands Renske Peters Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management of the Netherlands

Ministerie van Verkeer en Waterstaat 217 march 2009 The Netherlands: a river delta under pressure About 600 km of main rivers International catchments About 350 km coastline 55% of land below sea level 60% of population below sea level 65% of GNP earned below sea level 3500 km of flood defences, hundreds of locks, sluices, pumping stations

Ministerie van Verkeer en Waterstaat 317 march 2009 Climate Change Sealevel rise (… cm/100y) More /extreme storms? More/intense rainfall Spatial developments Subsidence Salt intrusion Decreased river discharge Increased river discharge Increased erosion More summer drought

Ministerie van Verkeer en Waterstaat 417 march 2009 Getting prepared: Delta Committee Installation of Delta Committee (september 2007) Advice requested: –How to protect the Netherlands against consequences of climate change. –Time scale: 2100 – 2200

Ministerie van Verkeer en Waterstaat 517 march 2009 Delta Committee: 2 main aspects 1.Safety from flooding Safety is first priority Prevention our first concern Flood risk management is a public good and responsibility 2.Sustainability Adequate fresh water supply Multifunctional solutions Harmonise with natural processes International cooperation

Ministerie van Verkeer en Waterstaat 617 march Recommendations Organise: Legal framework Finance The process Research new safety levels (2012) Research fresh water supply and demand Specific area oriented recommendations: Different challenges in different areas

Ministerie van Verkeer en Waterstaat 717 march 2009 Delta Committee (Veerman) Handover to Prime Minister and Vice Minister Advice of Delta Committee (september 2008)

Ministerie van Verkeer en Waterstaat 817 march 2009 Implementation Implementation along two ways: –Governance –Programme

Ministerie van Verkeer en Waterstaat 917 march 2009 Governance Ministerial Steering Group –Integrated responsibility at highest level –Prime Minister is chair –Vice Minister is politically responsible Tasks at hand in 2009: –Legal framework: Delta Act –Funding: Delta Fund –Scope of the programme: Delta Programme

Ministerie van Verkeer en Waterstaat 1017 march 2009 Governance: Delta Act 2009 Delta Act: Legal framework for –Delta Programme –Delta Director –Funding

Ministerie van Verkeer en Waterstaat 1117 march 2009 Governance: Delta Fund Funding –Solid financial resources: Deltafund –Future proof Costs (estimate of the Delta Commission): –> 2050: 1,2 – 1,6 billion Euro per year –2050 – 2100: 0,9 – 1,5 billion Euro per year

Ministerie van Verkeer en Waterstaat 1217 march 2009 Governance: Delta Director Delta Director, a new concept –Builder of the Delta Programme –Guards the cohesion, beats barriers, regionally and nationally –Speeds up the process, monitors the time table –Delta Director is a personality

Ministerie van Verkeer en Waterstaat 1317 march 2009 Delta Programme 1.Generic approach: Safety against flooding Sustainable Fresh water supply 2.Area oriented approach: –Different challenges in different regions Coastal zones Rivers IJsselmeer –Integrated approach, e.g.: Water and housing Water and nature Water and port development

Ministerie van Verkeer en Waterstaat 1417 march 2009 Dutch International Water Strategy Climate adaptation is key issue International Solidarity –Cooperation programmes in 5 Deltas EU cooperation Cooperation with neighbouring countries

Ministerie van Verkeer en Waterstaat 1517 march 2009 The way ahead Commit Connect Cooperate

Ministerie van Verkeer en Waterstaat 1617 march 2009 Key principles Organise integrated political responsibility: out-of-the water-box Organise an adequate legal framework Organise solid financial resources Look far ahead, and translate to actions for today Remain flexible in view of the many uncertainties Keep a time table: time to act now

Ministerie van Verkeer en Waterstaat 1717 march 2009 Thank you for your attention

Ministerie van Verkeer en Waterstaat 1817 march 2009 Multi functional Design Super Levees: No uncontrolable breaches and resulting floods Failure-proof because of height, width or internal construction. Tailor-made design and execution.

Ministerie van Verkeer en Waterstaat 1917 march 2009 Broadening the focus – new matches Adaptation strategy Water management and also: Biodiversity Quality of Life Infrastructure & Economy Climate research Mitigation research, and also: adaptation research Regional development Anticipate on future climate, and also: Housing, Agriculture, etc.