News

A new Water Matters study analyses the costs of the Dutch adaptation strategy of moving with sea level rise, in which people and economic activity gradually move from low-lying to higher areas. The research breaks down costs into implementation, flood damage, and wider socio-economic effects, allowing comparison with other long-term strategies. It finds that all variants of moving with sea level rise are significantly more expensive than continuing current flood protection, especially if flood defences are not maintained during the transition. The study concludes that continued investment in flood defences during any transition is crucial to avoid catastrophic risks and rising inequality.

The European Union’s first Soil Monitoring Law entered into force on 16 December 2025, requiring Member States to monitor and assess soil health across all land types. The law addresses key soil threats such as erosion, compaction and contamination and is part of the Soil Strategy for 2030 under the European Green Deal. It includes provisions to improve data sharing and support for farmers and soil managers without imposing new obligations on landowners. The initiative aims to enhance knowledge of soil conditions and contribute to healthier soils by 2050.

The Dutch Climate Risk Portal was officially launched during a webinar on 18 November 2025 as the new central access point for open climate risk information in the Netherlands. This news article features a recording of the webinar, with contributions from speakers representing the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, the Dutch Association of Insurers, Altera and Climate Adaptation Services. Please note that the recording is available in Dutch, accompanied by English subtitles.

The Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute's (KNMI) latest report examines extreme weather scenarios that could already occur in the Netherlands under current climate conditions. The report presents nine case studies showing how recent weather events might have developed into far more disruptive extremes. It highlights that impacts often result from compound events and societal vulnerabilities rather than weather alone. KNMI argues that understanding these plausible extremes is essential for improving preparedness, adaptation, and crisis response.

An analysis by researchers from the NWB Bank and Technical University Delft reviews the Dutch water safety financing system and finds it capable, in principle, of supporting large future investments sparked by climate change. The framework involves national and regional responsibilities, with primary water defences funded through the Delta Fund and levies, and water authorities borrowing at low cost via the NWB Bank. While current structures have historically accommodated rising investment needs, the Delta Fund faces a projected shortfall of about €13 billion to 2050. Potential issues for future financing include fiscal constraints, public acceptance of levies, regional differences in investment needs, and limits to financial solidarity.

Researchers from the Institute of Environmental Studies, Dutch Association of Insurers, and Deltares show that municipal adaptation measures, such as green infrastructure, can lower insured damages from intense short-duration rainfall in urban neighbourhoods by between €1,375 and €5,648. The study also confirms that higher daily precipitation correlates strongly with higher insured damages, underscoring the climate-driven exposure to cloudbursts. This provides strong empirical support for encouraging insurers, banks and municipalities to co-invest in adaptation measures as part of urban climate-resilience strategies.

The European Parliament has endorsed simplified sustainability and due diligence rules for large companies, reducing obligations for smaller firms. Reporting will now focus on businesses exceeding 1,750 employees and €450 million in turnover, while only corporations above €1.5 billion will face due diligence requirements. The reforms include a new EU portal with templates and guidance to streamline compliance. Lawmakers say the changes will ease administrative burdens and boost competitiveness while maintaining core sustainability goals.

Research from the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and the Climate Impact Atlas show that extreme windstorms remain a major hazard, especially in coastal and northern regions in the Netherlands. Using KNMI climate scenarios, it indicates that severe winter storms could become more frequent or intense even if average wind speeds remain stable. The maps also reveal how wind risk threatens infrastructure and buildings, supporting regional adaptation planning. The findings underscore the importance of integrating wind resilience into climate and spatial policy.

A Dutch research team has shown that hailstorms are a major and rising financial risk for the country’s farmers. The study links radar data with insurance losses to identify storms with hailstones larger than 1.5 centimetres as the most damaging. It finds that risk is concentrated in the south and east, where intense summer storms are most common. The findings will help improve forecasting and strengthen insurance and adaptation planning for Dutch agriculture.

The European Parliament rejected the mandate for simplified sustainability-reporting and due-diligence rules under the “Omnibus I” package, with 318 votes against and 309 in favour. The rejection delays discussions until a full Parliament vote on 13 November, before formal negotiations with the Commission and Council can start. The package aims to reduce administrative burdens for companies under the CSRD and CSDDD frameworks, but lawmakers indicated concerns or differing priorities.