Nederweert drawing up strategic climate adaptation plan

How has this climate adaptation plan been developed?

Although Nederweert still has little first-hand experience of the impact of climate change, the municipality is aware of the need to be prepared. Like many other municipalities in the Netherlands, therefore, it has conducted a stress test and risk dialogues. One of the results of this process is the Climate Map: a comprehensive map giving an instant picture of all the vulnerabilities. The outcomes of the stress test and the risk dialogues constitute the point of departure for the vision and ambitions set out in this climate adaptation plan.

What is the vision of the municipality of Nederweert?

By 2050, the municipality wants nearly every resident of Nederweert to be aware of climate change and to understand what this entails. In order to render the various villages of Nederweert climate-resilient, more greenery will be planted, which will also enhance biodiversity. The stress test and the risk dialogues have generated the following key values:

• Raising awareness: it takes time for everyone to become aware of the effects of climate change;
• Connections: as interests differ, it is imperative to continue to look for connections. For example, a resident may prefer a parking space by his/her house to a strip of grass. In such cases, a semi-paved parking lane could be a solution;
• Integrated approach and consideration: i.e., public space taskings are addressed in interconnection wherever possible;
• Collaboration: the municipality aims to join forces with residents, stakeholders, and other parties wherever possible;
• Linkage opportunities: in the pursuit of climate adaptation, the municipality attempts to include climate adaptive measures in scheduled and ongoing projects. This keeps the costs in check.

What ambitions does Nederweert hold?

The municipality of Nederweert is greening the public space to the maximum extent possible. This is referred to as “Green for Grey”. More trees must be planted, and existing community parks and gardens will be planted with climate-proof plants and bushes. In order to be climate-proof by 2050, the municipality has set down three substantive ambitions and two ambitions outlining the municipal role and the process. These are the ambitions of the municipality of Nederweert:

• Heat ambition: by 2025, the municipality will have a Local Heat Plan. It will have expanded its volume of greenery by five to ten per cent, the bulk of which will be trees to create more shade. In new construction and renovation projects, the buildings will be designed in a climate-adaptive manner wherever possible, e.g., featuring green rooftops and house front gardens, and bedrooms facing north east to minimise the effect of solar radiation;
• Drought ambition: by 2050, 40 per cent of rainwater falling on paved surfaces will no longer end up in the sewer. This water will drain into the soil or be reused. Forty per cent of the greenery will be resilient against dry and wet periods;
• Waterlogging ambition: by 2050, the municipality aims to have maximised its protection against extreme downpours. As 40 per cent less rainwater will end up in the sewer, the municipality will be better protected against waterlogging in the streets. The municipality will accept a temporary volume of water on the streets, but on crucial through roads this cannot cause hindrance to emergency services;
• Process and Organisation ambition: the municipality is tackling projects in an integrated manner. Wherever possible, it is making climate adaptation choices in concert with other parties, and it is capitalising on linkage opportunities wherever the budget permits. As in many cases the results of measures will only be manifest after thirty years, the municipality is already embarking on its efforts;
• Communication ambition: starting in 2020, the municipality of Nederweert intends to communicate more extensively and more clearly on the climate measures it is implementing. It is encouraging and actively helping residents to green their environment and disconnect their downspouts from the sewer system.

Contact person

Jac Broens
j.broens@nederweert.nl