NWO Funds Dutch Climate Adaptation Initiative
Amsterdam, Friday, 6 June 2025.
A Dutch research project, led by top universities, receives significant funding to develop climate resilience strategies addressing the rise in climate extremes, benefiting the entire Netherlands.
Introduction to the Dutch Climate Initiative
The newly launched initiative, ‘Transformative Adaptation Strategies for Interdependent Critical Infrastructure’ (TASICI), has received €1.2 million under the auspices of the Dutch Research Council (NWO). This investment marks a significant step in advancing climate adaptation research focusing on critical infrastructure in the Netherlands. The leading institutions, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, TU Delft, and The Hague University of Applied Sciences, spearhead this innovative project aimed at tackling the challenges posed by climate extremes such as heatwaves, heavy rainfall, and droughts [1].
Project Leadership and Goals
Helmed by prominent figures in academia, Elco Koks, Jasper Verschuur, and Anja Overdiek, the project is set to develop revolutionary tools and models capable of enhancing cross-sector collaboration. These tools are essential for understanding cascading risks, optimizing climate-adaptive decision-making under resource constraints, and fostering improved cooperation among different sectors. The project distinguishes itself by adopting a ‘corridor approach,’ encouraging multiple infrastructure managers to synchronize efforts in identifying vulnerabilities and formulating robust adaptation pathways [1].
Case Studies and Methodology
The TASICI project will conduct two critical case studies, focusing on the Amsterdam Metropolitan Region, incorporating the internationally renowned Schiphol Airport, and the Dutch segment of the Rhine-Alpine freight corridor. These case studies are pivotal in demonstrating the project’s methodologies in real-world scenarios, thereby enabling the testing and refinement of strategies designed to withstand climate extremes effectively [1].
Impact on Dutch Climate Policy
The project’s outcomes are anticipated to contribute significantly to the broader Dutch climate policy by providing practical solutions and frameworks that other regions can adopt. The integration of multidisciplinary scientific expertise with hands-on collaboration with infrastructure stakeholders promises to deliver strategies that are both innovative and actionable, fostering resilience across the infrastructural landscape of the Netherlands [1].