Sea Level Rise Knowledge Programme
According to the IPCC report published in August 2021, increasingly more signs indicate that the sea level may rise at a pace faster than assumed in the Delta Scenarios. In 2018, Deltares explored, in anticipation of the IPCC report, how this could impact the Delta Programme. Subsequently, in 2019, the Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management and the Delta Programme Commissioner jointly initiated the Sea Level Rise Knowledge Programme. Under this programme, government authorities, research institutes, businesses, planners, and NGOs are pursuing new expertise on the potential rise in sea level: its pace and its scope; the consequences for flood defences systems, freshwater supply, and spatial planning; and ways to anticipate such consequences in good time.
Voice over tekst research programme on sea level rise
We know that sea level is risingÉ
Possibly by as much as 1 meter by the end of the century.
The Netherlands is preparing for this through the Delta Programme.
However ... there is still a lot of uncertainty surrounding these predictions.
What does a sea level rise mean for our flood protection,
our fresh water availability,
our land use,
our agriculture and nature?
The ÔResearch Programme on Sea Level RiseÕ has been initiated in order to help reduce these uncertainties.
This is a collaboration between governments, knowledge institutes, companies and NGOsÉ.
Éthat provides essential knowledge for the Delta Programme.
The Research Programme analyses the possible effects of a sea level rise, looking at issues such as:
É flood risk management
ÉFresh water availability
Éand land use.
We are investigating how we can better predict sea level rise, and its consequences for the Netherlands
Éevaluating the effectiveness of our current strategies under different sea level rise scenarios
and are exploring alternative strategies for the future.
This will enable us to make the right decisions when needed.
Ensuring the Netherlands remains well-protected in the future.
Want to know more? Visit deltacommissaris.nl or rijksoverheid.nl