Water Scarcity in The Netherlands - UNECE · the Netherlands in 2050 (2100) • Identify short term (2015) no-regret measures Start 2010 . Proposal for a decision in 2014 . 1. Protect

Water Scarcity in The Netherlands Jos G. Timmerman Directorate General for Spatial Planning and Water

3 May 2012

2 3 May 2012 Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment

3 3 May 2012 Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment

Current situation

Current goal • Water availability is guaranteed by water authorities • “Sufficient freshwater, of good quality, on the right place, and

at the right time” • “Sufficient freshwater for all water users during the year”

Current Strategy • Use current infrastructure to provide freshwater • In case of scarcity use priority list • Use of instruments: permits • Accept financial losses

4 3 May 2012 Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment

Priorities

Category 1 Category 2 Category 3 Category 4 Safety and prevention of irreparable damage

Utilities Small-scale high-quality use

Other interests (economic assessment, also regarding nature)

1. Stability of dams

2. Settlement of peat

3. Nature

1. Drinking water

2. Energy

•Temporary irrigation of capital-intensive crops •process water

•Shipping •Agriculture •Nature (except for irreparable damage) •Industry •Recreation •Fishery

5 3 May 2012 Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment

6

Delta programme

Freshwaterprogramme • Sustainable freshwater management, now and in

2050 (2100) • Develop strategies for freshwater management in

the Netherlands in 2050 (2100) • Identify short term (2015) no-regret measures

Start 2010 Proposal for a decision in 2014

1. Protect the Netherlands against flooding 2. Guarantee sufficient freshwater

Scenarios

7 3 May 2012 Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment

Socio-economic growth

Socio-economic decline

Climate change modest

Climate change rapid

Pressure Steam

Calm Hot

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First results No fresh water supply possible

Not enough freshwater in the rivers and canals Water demand > water availability Salt water intrusion in fresh water system Current strategy and goal are not sustainable !!

Strategies

9 3 May 2012 Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment

Adaptive land use planning

Water availability is guaranteed by water authorities

User adapts to water

Water distributing company takes water to user

Demand driven

Supply driven

Public

Private

Next steps

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Develop possible strategies (5-7) Regional differentiation Rough calculation of consequences (hydrological,

economic, achievement of goals) Select promising strategies (± 3) Detailed calculations (cost-benefit, hydrology, etc.) Assessment of administrative preferences Selection of preferred strategy

Delta Decision in 2014

Transboundary aspects

• How will water consumption develop in the upstream countries?

• What will be the consequences for the river discharges?

• What are the options for dry periods (agreements, retention, etc.)?

11 3 May 2012 Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment

Lessons learned

• Involvement of local administrations and water users

• Involvement of decision-makers at the different administrative levels

• Transparent process • Limitations:

– of technical possibilities – of regional solutions

• Need for cooperation with water users 12 3 May 2012 Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment

13 3 May 2012 Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment

Thank you for your attention

www.deltacommissaris.nl/english/