The effect of climate change in the Netherlands

The changing climate in the Netherlands is seen in, for example, the rising sea level, the increase in discharge of rivers and the response of nature to temperature changes. Although the observed effects in the Netherlands are limited without having led to serious problems for the country, climate change and its effects are expected to accelerate over the next few decades and persist for a considerable length of time. The second half of the century may see serious problems arising from climate change, in particular in the low-lying areas of the country. A sea level rise of several to many metres is expected in the very long term (a few hundred years). It is questionable whether conventional techniques can be used to maintain the current level of safety. Greater effort will also be required to uphold this safety level due to the additional problems of possible increase in discharge from the rivers Rhine and Meuse and further land subsidence.

Authors: Bresser AHM ; Berk MM ; Born GJ van den ; Bree L van ; Gaalen FW van ; Ligtvoet W ; Minnen JG van ; Witmer MCH ; Amelung B ; Huynen MMTE ; Bolwidt L ; Brinke W ten ; Buiteveld H ; Dillingh D ; Dorland R van ; Leemans R ; Strien A van ; Vermaat J ; Veraart J - Bresser AHM ; Berk MM (eds)

Project leader: AHM Bresser

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