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.
KIN Pact officially launched on April 18th
With a festive launch event at the Museon-Omniversum in The Hague, the Climate Research Initiative Netherlands (KIN) Pact officially went live on Thursday, April 18th. This means that societal organizations, governments, businesses, and knowledge institutions can now join the transdisciplinary network committed to accelerating system transitions.
Whitepaper Addressing Societal Challenges through More Effective Innovation Instruments
In a recently released whitepaper, experts from various knowledge organizations advocate for a revision of the Dutch innovation instrumentarium to foster collaborative innovation. They emphasize the need for a different approach to innovation and new forms of collaboration—essential for solving societal problems and stimulating economic viability.
‘Ofcourse, I would much rather see, that KIN is no longer needed in ten years.’
He has been officially appointed as the director of the Climate Research Initiative Netherlands (KIN): Michiel van den Hout. Earlier appointed as a pioneer to get the KIN off the ground. That mission has succeeded: at the end of November, the formal establishment of the KIN as a coordinating body became a fact. At that time, he already said he would prefer to see KIN no longer needed in ten years, ‘if we have truly made strides and become a sustainable and climate-neutral country.’
