Knowledge for Climate Programme

Knowledge for Climate is an ambitious research programme that aims to develop applied knowledge, through cooperation between the Dutch government, the business community and scientific research institutes, in order to ensure that long term decision making takes into account the impacts of climate change. 

Wageningen University and Research Centre, the University of Utrecht, the VU University, KNMI and TNO/Deltares have combined forces in this research programme to generate the applied knowledge, together with other academic institutes, the business community and the government (central government, provinces, municipalities and water boards), necessary to assess investments in spatial planning, infrastructure and institutions in terms of their resistance to climate change and to make changes where necessary.

The aim is timely and cost-effective climate proofing of the Netherlands, in an international context.

Knowledge for Climate is therefore the scientific research programme that supports the National Programme for Spatial Adaptation to Climate Change (ARK), conducted by the Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment (VROM), the Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Manage¬ment (VenW), the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LNV), the Ministry of Economic Affairs (EZ), the Association of Provincial Authorities (IPO), the Association of Netherlands Municipalities (VNG) and the Association of Water Boards.

Knowledge for Climate was approved by the Dutch Cabinet in July 2007 and a budget of 50 million euros awarded from the Economic Structure Enhancing Fund (FES) with the intention of, through participation and co-financing, establishing the content and scope of the research programme so that it forms the basis for a local, regional, national and international climate adaptation strategy.

The ambition of the new Knowledge for Climate programme is to build on current BSIK programmes (such as Climate changes Spatial Planning, Living with Water and Habiforum) and international research programmes and to make the knowledge and experience acquired available to areas outside the Netherlands.