Our climate is changing. In the Netherlands and its surroundings, temperatures are rising even faster than the global average. How does climate change work and what does it mean for us in practise? How can we avoid extreme climate change while adapting to the unavoidable consequences?
Life on earth would not be possible without the sun. It provides warmth and enables plants to grow.
Greenhouse gases cause the atmosphere to retain the heat of the sun.
Global warming is measured against the year 1850, when humans used little fossil energy and greenhouse gas emissions were low.
Industry, energy production, transport and agriculture emit greenhouse gases. These cause the atmosphere to retain the heat of the sun, causing temperatures to rise.
69 Megaton
27 Gigaton
37 Megaton
7 Gigaton
29 Megaton
3 Gigaton
24 Megaton
12 Gigaton
3 Megaton
1 Gigaton
It is currently 1°C warmer than in 1850.
Temperature rise compared to 1850
Climate change has large consequences for the Netherlands: sea level rise, heavy rainfall, drought, heat waves, and new diseases such as dengue. We can partially prevent climate change while at the same time adapting to the unavoidable consequences, so that in 2100 the Netherlands will still be safe and liveable.
Since 1850 the sea level has risen 20 centimetres in the Netherlands. By 2100 85 cm will have been added. We can lower this to 60 cm if we prevent climate change.
Risks of flooding increase because extreme rainfall will occur more often. By providing more space for rivers we lower the chances of flooding.
By isolating buildings we can save energy. Climate change increases the risk of flooding the low parts of the Netherlands. Through adaptation we can minimize these impacts.
Climate change causes increased drought, heat waves, extreme rain and damage from storms.
Industry and electricity production are a source of greenhouse gases. By greening our industries and by saving energy we can lower emissions.
In a warmer climate, exotic disease agents, such as the tiger mosquito, can more easily establish themselves in the Netherlands. These threats will be monitored in order to prevent and respond to them.
Sustainable energy helps prevent climate change.
Agriculture contributes to global warming due to inter alia methane emissions from cows. By changing what we feed them we can lower emissions.
Transport emits greenhouse gases. Our aim is that all cars are free from greenhouse gas emissions and other pollution in 2100, inter alia by transitioning to electric vehicles.
Our current dikes protect the Netherlands. By reinforcing these dikes we make sure the Netherlands is also safe in the future.
We can only tackle climate change successfully if we work together. Therefore the government helps companies, researchers and civilians in general to develop and implement smart initiatives.
An ambitious climate policy requires numerous actions internationally. To this end the Netherlands is working together with other countries on a UN climate agreement. Other action items are the Dutch contribution to international climate finance and involving the private sector globally.
We are creating a national adaptation strategy to plan how the Netherlands can prepare for the impacts of climate change, including cities, infrastructure and agriculture.
We tighten the rules on greenhouse gas emissions and provide incentives for companies to run their business in a climate friendly way.
We put tremendous effort into providing sufficient onshore and offshore wind energy.
We are making the transition towards more efficient, cleaner and smarter transport of people and goods.
We stimulate industry to improve efficiency of production, to use more organic resources and to reuse waste as a resource.
We stimulate farmers to produce more food while polluting less. We stimulate people to eat those products that have caused least pollution.
For more details download the Climate Agenda
This site is best viewed on a desktop computer in the most recent Chrome, Safari or Mozilla Firefox browsers. Close