Changing temperature (air, freshwater, marine water)
For details on changing temperature and Dutch policies and regulations, insurances, datasets, and risk assessment methods, please visit the Heat stress page.
The Netherlands, traditionally associated with mild maritime summers and cool winters, has in recent decades experienced increasingly frequent and intense heat events. Influenced by its temperate oceanic climate, the country historically saw average summer temperatures in the low 20s °C, with accordingly lower extreme temperatures and only occasional spikes. However, climate change has shifted this pattern, bringing more prolonged heat waves, a record-breaking high above 40 °C in the southern part of the country (PDF), and elevated nighttime temperatures that offer little relief.
These changes have significant implications for public health, agriculture, infrastructure, and water management in a low-lying nation already vulnerable to environmental stress. As urban areas experience amplified ‘heat island’ effects, and energy demand for cooling rises, the Netherlands faces growing challenges in adapting to and mitigating the impacts of extreme heat.
Changing temperatures relate to long-term shifts in the mean temperatures of air, freshwater, and marine water. These gradual increases affect human health, ecosystems, and infrastructure, creating a range of direct and indirect challenges. Additionally, changing average temperatures influence production in agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and water use, potentially altering growing seasons, crop yields, and resource availability. Rising temperatures also contribute to the spread of disease vectors and extend periods of allergen exposure, increasing risks to public health. Moreover, ecosystems experience stress as species distributions shift, habitats are altered, and biodiversity may decline. Finally, infrastructure and urban environments face heightened pressure, with heat accelerating material degradation, raising energy demands for cooling, and challenging water management systems.
