There are all sorts of ways to keep the Netherlands safe from rising sea levels in the distant future. Elevated or floating construction, additional ring dams around the Randstad, closing river arms, creating a coastal lagoon to store river water… Research published today identifies all the major spatial options that may be necessary in the long term to deal with sea level rise. It is important that we actually identify these possibilities, because preparing them, making decisions, and implementing them costs a lot of money, space, and time.
National government March 5, 2024
This research is part of the Knowledge Program on Sea Level Rise. It was implemented by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management and the Delta Commissioner, in cooperation with the Higher Water Sector.
In November, it became clear that it was technically possible to protect the Netherlands from sea level rise of up to 3 meters with the current approach of dike reinforcements, storm barriers, sand replenishment and pumps. In one of KNMI's climate scenarios, this increase is achieved just after 2100. In another scenario, we will not reach 3 meters by 2300. In the new research, lines of thought for 2 meters and 5 meters have been developed.
Minister Mark Harpers (Infrastructure and Water Management): “We see that there is potential to deal with even an extreme sea level rise of five metres. We also believe that this would have serious consequences for the Netherlands Organization. The good news is that we don't have to choose tomorrow, but we still have time to do so. This time is also essential to gather more knowledge and prepare our country now for the big choices we will make in the future.
Delta Verdas Commissioner: “Together with our engineers, hydraulic engineers and knowledge institutions, we have looked at how we can continue to live here safely in the long term. As a low-lying nation, sea level rise poses an enormous task and radical choices. But if we can deal “With that anywhere, it's here. This research shows that technology and natural solutions can help us. We must now take the spatial challenges of the future into account in everything we do.”
Three schools of thought for the distant future
Options for dealing with sea level rise have been researched and written by three broadly authored research groups, joining the efforts of governments, knowledge institutions and companies.
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The first association was concerned with the “protection” school of thought, which relied on some already known measures such as protection by barriers and sand replenishment, closing river arms, and draining excess water by pumps.
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The second group focused on “seaward” thinking, where space at sea is used to solve future bottlenecks – such as accommodating peak discharges from rivers.
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The third line of thought was to “move forward,” whereby land and building use would be modified and more space would be given to water.
Consider the future approach now
These three lines of thought have led to all kinds of options to keep the Netherlands safe in the future. There are many options for dealing with sea level rise, but this will require significant spatial choices in the long term. Whatever choices are made, they will cost money, space and time.
The calculation and drawing works will be further developed in the coming years. For example, we will consider the consequences of spatial choices in areas other than water safety, such as agriculture, water quality, shipping, and nature. There will also be follow-up research into what space actually needs to be reserved to keep the door open for future measures.
excess
Message to Parliament on the first findings of alternative lines of thought for long-term sea level rise
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