News

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.

A new open-access chapter in Geology of the Netherlands: Second Edition provides an up-to-date overview of natural and human-induced land subsidence across the Netherlands. Written by TNO and other institutions, it reviews key processes, monitoring techniques, and modelling tools, and highlights the growing role of governance in addressing subsidence impacts. The authors also discuss new drivers linked to the energy transition and call for coordinated policies and improved data to manage one of the Netherlands’ most persistent geohazards.

A new EIOPA report warns that biodiversity loss could become a major financial risk for Europe’s insurers. It finds that while climate risk is now commonly addressed, biodiversity remains poorly integrated into risk management. The watchdog urges insurers to improve data, metrics, and scenario analysis to capture nature-related exposures. It also calls for closer alignment with EU sustainability policies and more nature-positive investment strategies to safeguard long-term financial stability.