Instructions for the standardised stress test Spatial Adaptation

The Delta Plan on Spatial Adaptation demonstrates the Netherlands’ strong commitment to a climate-proof and water-resilient spatial planning, with the aim to be better prepared for extreme weather by 2050. The Delta Plan is based on seven ambitions, of which ‘Mapping out vulnerabilities’ is one. To map out vulnerabilities, local governments needed to have conducted a first stress test no later than 2019. The stress test focuses on drought, heat, waterlogging and flooding.

Who need to conduct stress tests?

All the municipalities, district water boards, provinces, and the central government need to have conducted stress tests, in collaboration with various  stakeholders. These stress tests need to have been conducted in urban as well as in rural areas, in order to gain insight into the vulnerability to climate extremes. The stress test will be repeated every six years.

What does a stress test do?

A stress test identifies the potential vulnerabilities within an area with respect to four themes: drought, heat, waterlogging and urban flooding. It collects and creates information about the effects of climate change in the present and in the future. This information is combined with data about the climate sensitivity of various objects and functions in a certain area. Research conducted during the test shows when, where and which bottlenecks will appear. The research explores different climate scenarios.

What are the instructions for the stress test?

In collaboration with several parties The Delta Programme Spatial Adaptation has developed instructions for the standardised stress test. These instructions outline how to carry out a stress test and assist users in interpreting and applying the results. The instructions include:

• background information about the climate themes and their related vulnerabilities
• directions to find and use public basic information to explore and map the vulnerabilities
• directions on how to create tailor-made information about vulnerabilities
• advise on how to use the results of the stress test

What does the standardised stress test mean?

The instructions focus on generic and applicable components in the standardisation. This increases the inter-comparability and the quality of the stress test outcomes. The standardisation includes starting points, input data to be used, steps of the information analysis, a method for model calculations, the display of results and the transmission of information.

What does the standardised stress test not mean?

The instructions do not describe the complete procedure of the stress test in detail. There should be enough space to customize the stress test with local knowledge and expertise. Note also the following points:

• It’s impossible to fail or pass the stress test.
• It’s not a check list, it encourages customisation.
• The stress test sets no mandatory standards.
• The stress test does not result in a list of suitable adaptation measures.