What’s in the first advice from the strategy and advisory council?
The Strategy and Advisory Council (SAR) of the KIN Pact issued its first advice on prioritising knowledge questions, which the steering group adopted. The SAR identified four key challenges: implementing Water-Soil-Network policy, adaptation versus acceptance, opportunities for modular solutions, and preventing displacement in scarcity. This advice provides direction for KIN, focusing on problem owners’ needs. Next steps include identifying problem owners and aligning with ongoing programmes. For more information, see the public summary or full appendix. Together, we aim for a climate-neutral and climate-resilient Netherlands.
Lorentz Centre result: winner announced for the first Sustainability Challenge workshop in February 2025
The proposal ‘Human-Biodiversity Relationships Across Scales’ has won the first Sustainability Challenge workshop by KIN and the Lorentz Centre. Scheduled for 3-7 February 2025, the workshop aims to advance sustainable, just societies. The Lorentz Centre will support the event with venue costs and a €15,000 budget. Congratulations to the winning authors!
Reflection on the second Make-aton: pitches, post-its & chips
On June 26th, around seventy enthusiastic policymakers, scientists, and advisors gathered for the second Make-athon at the Cobra Museum in Amstelveen. The goal? To collaboratively develop adaptation pathways for five (eventually seven!) key themes within the new National Climate Adaptation Strategy (NAS). The energy and collaboration throughout the day were impressive, lasting well into the evening! This unique pressure-cooker day resulted in valuable insights and creative solutions, which we are eager to reflect on together.
Our new steering group’s first meeting at the NWO office in Utrecht!
On 22 April 2024, the KIN Steering Group held its first meeting at the NWO office in Utrecht. The group, including Gerard van der Steenhoven, Eddy Moors, and Marjolein Demmers, discussed KIN’s current state and future plans, emphasising a demand-driven approach to research.
Key topics included building a strong network with societal partners, identifying problem owners, and formulating practical research questions. The group also highlighted the need for tools to support these processes.
KIN aims to strengthen partnerships and develop research programmes for system transitions, with the steering group guiding these efforts towards a sustainable future.
Review of the 1st Make-athon NAS
In the Netherlands, we face an immense challenge: how can we make our country resilient against changing climate conditions? As sea levels rise, extreme weather events become more frequent, and our infrastructure comes under pressure, we must act proactively to climate-proof the Netherlands.
IPCC: putting our heads together against climate change
Many people are familiar with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) from the extensive, well-researched reports on climate change that often make headlines. But what exactly is the IPCC, and what does it do? The IPCC is a United Nations body that synthesises and summarises scientific literature on climate change for a policy audience. It regularly publishes reports on the international state of knowledge about climate change and its impacts. These reports are designed to inform policymakers worldwide and assist them in making well-informed decisions.
This year, preparations began for a special report on cities and climate change, scheduled for release in 2027. Prof. Bart van den Hurk, scientific director at Deltares, co-chairs the working group on climate impacts and adaptation, leading the development of this report with his team.
Round table on climate change and system transitions in the context of research collaboration between Mozambique and The Netherlands
Early May, KIN invited Dutch and Mozambican researchers and practise experts to join the online round table on climate change and system transitions. Were you unable to attend and/or interested in the outcomes? Read the results of this meeting here! Find the full reflection in the attached report.
The coalition agreement will not accelerate system changes.
The reactions to the coalition agreement are coming in thick and fast; joy, sadness, hope, disappointment, pride, anger… everything is passing by. As KIN, we are relieved to hear that climate policy is not completely being thrown out, as initially proposed by PVV leader Geert Wilders in his election program. However, we also see that the proposed measures do not bring system change any closer.
Press release: Innovative research in the Dutch Climate Research Initiative’s inaugural programme promises to accelerate system transitions.
The Dutch Climate Research Initiative (KIN), established by NWO and KNAW, has initiated its first work programme aimed at accelerating climate transitions in urban neighbourhoods. The programme diverges from the conventional approach in the Netherlands by eschewing competition in favour of a more inclusive and collaborative approach to research and innovation. This approach is novel and aligns with the urgency of initiating climate transitions.
The members of the Strategy and Advisory Board have been announced
On Friday, March 1st, 2024, the first meeting of the Pact Strategy and Advisory Board took place! Six out of the nine members physically convened for a full-day Pressure Cooker Prioritization Session in Utrecht. The members of the SAR represent (partially) various societal perspectives in climate transitions, including psychology, the financial sector, water management, policy, and energy transition.
