Knowledge for Climate

Knowledge for Climate 2008 - 2014 Appendix 1 Knowledge for Climate 2008 - 2014 Knowledge for Climate E: [email protected] W: www.knowledgeforclimate.nl 2 Research programme Knowledge for Climate Content Preface Supervisory Board 4 Preface Executive Board 6 Chapter 1 - Run-up, mission and conditions 8 Chapter 2 - Organisation, strategies and instruments 14 Chapter 3 - Hotspots: Developing regional adaptation strategies 24 Chapter 4 - Research themes 36 Chapter 5 - Value creation 54 Chapter 6 - Taking stock: Conclusions, reflections and lessons learned 64 Review & response Review by the scientific and societal review panels 74 Response on the review by the Executive Board 80 Appendix Appendix 1 - Organisation of Knowledge for Climate programme 86 Appendix 2 - Key financial data 88 Appendix 3 - Knowledge for Climate projects (per tranche) 94 Appendix 4 - Knowledge for Climate Midterm Assessment 2012 104 Appendix 5 - Activities of the Knowledge Transfer unit 2008-2014 108 Appendix 6 - The hotspots in the Knowledge for Climate programme 112 Appendix 7 - Steering committees consortia 118 Appendix 8 - Who is who 120 Appendix 3 Preface Supervisory Board This is the final report of the national Knowledge for Climate (KfC) research programme. The programme was set up in 2007 to explore the consequences of climate change for the Netherlands and how they should be managed. To that end, an independent foundation was established with the objective of “promoting evidence-based and practice-driven knowledge about climate in the public interest, including making that knowledge available to the public…” (Section 2 of the deed establishing the foundation). The foundation has achieved that objective, together with stakeholders, by organising and funding research and encouraging the processes of knowledge dissemination and application. When the foundation was set up, the fourth Balkenende Government allo- cated it an initial budget of EUR 50m. Over the past seven years, participating national, regional and local authorities, businesses, and research institutes contributed another 30 million euros to that budget. 4 Research programme Knowledge for Climate The present document comprises the report on the as dykes or evacuation. The concept of “multilevel flood activities of the Knowledge for Climate Foundation, and safety” can help in this context. The province of Drenthe accounts for the way in which it has utilised the public finds itself facing increasing risks of water depletion. This funds entrusted to it. A draft of this report was revie- is a major problem not only for agriculture but also for wed by a scientific panel and a societal panel at a public nature conservation. In the Dwingelderveld National meeting on 21 November 2014. The results of that review Park, for example, drastic measures are necessary to are stated in the report and have been incorporated into preserve this unique area of wet heathland. it. The Supervisory Board approved the final report of the Knowledge for Climate Foundation at its meeting on Over the past seven years, the Supervisory Board has clo- 18 February 2015. sely followed and monitored the programme to ensure effective, responsible, and transparent utilisation of the As is evident from the review, the results of the program- funds provided. The Supervisory Board has also assisted me are extremely interesting for the actual practice of cli- the Executive Board in both word and deed, acting as mate change adaptation in the Netherlands. Rotterdam, an advisor and a sounding board. In close collaboration the Haaglanden region, and various other Dutch regions with the Executive Board, the Supervisory Board has and cities, for example, are already benefiting from the determined the broad outlines of the programming, has research results, which have had an impact on relevant monitored the quality of the research, and has developed adaptation strategies. The research has also provided and applied effective strategies in the field of knowledge a number of important components for the national dissemination and the use of knowledge by relevant strategy for climate change adaptation and for the Delta public and private parties. Programme. The Knowledge for Climate Programme has also made a major contribution to reinforcing the But the conclusion of the Knowledge for Climate Pro- knowledge infrastructure. As a result, the Netherlands gramme does not mean in any way that the task assigned continues to play an important role in internationally has been accomplished completely. The issue of climate oriented climate science, and knowledge generated in the change is so complex and so urgent that the knowledge Netherlands can be exported to other parts of the world. infrastructure requires constant maintenance and further Increasingly, that knowledge is also important for the reinforcement. Knowledge generation continues to business community, not only because being proactive provide an important basis for regional and local adap- means that future costs can be avoided but also because tation strategies and the resulting specific measures, and the knowledge generated can be marketed more broadly. requires ongoing investment. Nor should the processes of knowledge uptake and knowledge use cease with the During a number of working visits, the Supervisory conclusion of the programme. Knowledge dissemina- Board was able to see for itself just how important clima- tion and practical applications must be pursued so that te change adaptation is for the Netherlands. That applies the Netherlands becomes genuinely climate-proof. This both to urban and rural areas. In recent decades, Dutch means that the necessary steps now need to be taken in towns and cities have grown considerably, meaning that order to harvest the results of the programme even more, they have also become more vulnerable to climate chan- but also to sow the seed for future harvests. ge. In Dordrecht, for example, flood risk management measures are being implemented in the existing urban On behalf of the Supervisory Board area. The complex layout of the town means, however, Sybilla Dekker, Chair that one cannot simply rely on traditional solutions such Preface SupervisoryAppendix Board 5 Preface Executive Board Remove the hard paving from gardens and industrial sites so that the earth can more easily absorb downpours of rain. Invest in the cultivation of new varieties of potato that thrive in saltwater. Don’t just build dikes taller; make them broader and more multi- functional. Store fresh water in the saline soil of Zeeland. These are just a few of the innovations emerging from the Knowledge for Climate research programme showing that small-scale and large-scale adaptation to climate change is possible and necessary – in our gardens and on arable farmland, in cities and across regions. 6 Research programme Knowledge for Climate The Knowledge for Climate research programme was The programme was undertaken in a turbulent period. set up to explore the consequences of climate change Public sentiment had shifted; whereas in 2006 the Dutch for the Netherlands and how to manage them. Practical listened to Al Gore’s warning that the Netherlands would strategies had to be developed for adapting key regions drown if mankind kept pumping greenhouse gases into and economic sectors to climate change. Strategies have the atmosphere, by 2009 they were more preoccupied now been developed for regions such as Schiphol Air- with the IPCC ‘Climategate’ scandal. On top of this, the port, the Rotterdam region, the Haaglanden region, the economic crisis had hit in the latter half of 2008 and its area criss-crossed by the major rivers and the south-west repercussions commanded the public’s and the authori- Delta, and for sectors such as agriculture, energy and ties’ full attention. Climate change had taken a back seat. transport. In the wake of these public and political discussions, the Knowledge for Climate Programme quietly continued In the past decade, natural disasters have occurred with its steady progress. Its organisation became a knowledge greater frequency than ever before on virtually every broker that facilitated and stimulated climate research continent. Hurricane Katrina pounded the United States; and innovation, leading to numerous new insights into large swathes of Eastern Europe experienced the worst flood risk management, fresh water supply, and urban floods in decades; Bangkok flooded; and Australia, quality of life. The programme and its methods focused California and even Russia battled drought and wildfires. on generating the knowledge and expertise required to Heat waves cost thousands of lives in France alone, and make informed investment decisions geared to clima- not only among the elderly. Large parts of Pakistan and te-proofing the Netherlands. It also took every oppor- India flooded, with thousands fleeing the rising waters. tunity to place things in an international context. The The question heard worldwide was whether climate results are disseminated through scientific publications, change was behind the increase in weather-related disas- reports, books, folders, brochures, news letters, short ters, or whether unbridled urban expansion had made films, courses, workshops and meetings. communities more vulnerable. Both causes probably play a critical role. This final report discusses the programme’s mission and conditions. We report in general terms on programme Nevertheless, climate change – and especially the possi- execution and spending;

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