News

On August 29, the Global Transitions Programme Committee (GTPC) held its first meeting. Joining from three different countries the committee discussed the start of the first steps for the Global Transitions programme within the Dutch Climate Research Initiative (KIN). KIN is excited to collaborate with this diverse group of experts to ensure innovative, co-creative and impactful KIN initiatives.

It’s been a long wait, but it was worth it: we’ve welcomed the scientific lead to our team and are now delighted to announce that this is Derk Loorbach. His innovative approach to research in and with society makes Derk the perfect expert for this role. Derk started this summer and will fulfill this role part-time. What Will the Scientific Lead Do? As the scientific lead, Derk Loorbach is responsible for the scientific content aspects of KIN activities and serves as the scientific face of KIN. Derk will focus on: Derk has long been a unifying force between research, policy, and practice. With his knowledge and expertise, he contributes to the visibility, credibility, and impact of KIN. ‘As the academic lead for KIN, I hope to inspire, encourage, and provoke from my professional and personal experience as an entrepreneurial transition researcher.’ Derk Loorbach, Scientific Lead at KIN About Derk Loorbach Loorbach has experience with transition research in various societal domains. He combines his role as lead of KIN with his work as director of the internationally renowned action research institute DRIFT. He is also a professor of socio-economic transitions at Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR). Loorbach’s extensive experience and vision make him an inspiring leader for KIN. From his role as scientific lead, he aims to promote inter- and transdisciplinary collaboration, essential for tackling climate change. ‘Thanks to climate research, the importance of transitioning to a climate-neutral and climate-resilient society has penetrated just about every Dutch boardroom, policy table, and local hub,’ says Loorbach. ‘However, the transitions necessary for our economy and society are still not sufficiently underway. It is a significant socio-economic challenge to translate scientific necessity into a just and democratic transition process.’ Derk Loorbach, Scientific Lead at KIN KIN on Derk’s Arrival As KIN itself is new in design, so too is the role of scientific lead a new position, without a predecessor. With the appointment of Loorbach, the directorate is complete, consisting of General Director Michiel van den Hout and the scientific lead. Derk will dedicate one day a week to this role in the first year, followed by one and a half days thereafter. ‘We are delighted with Derk’s arrival. He is truly a leading expert in transition management and has an impressive network and extensive experience in promoting collaboration across different disciplines. With ‘transition in science’ as his mission, Derk will undoubtedly contribute to the impact and visibility of KIN.’ Michiel van den Hout, General Director of KIN Photos of Derk and press release in text document: https://surfdrive.surf.nl/files/index.php/s/zuLdnl5vjswqvUv KIN press kit with profile photos of Michiel, KIN one-pagers, logos, etc: https://surfdrive.surf.nl/files/index.php/s/TpEnarpvRFaOpaw

Time flies when you’re having fun! Having started in May, we are now halfway through the 5-month-long KIN Purpose Accelerator! Over the past few weeks, seven talented PhD candidates have been conducting research aimed at creating an evidence-based climate valorisation. The results will be delivered at the end of October, but in the meantime, we are pleased to share the key lessons learned so far. Lesson 1: Embrace the complexity Climate research is broad, diverse, and complex. At the same time, the short duration of the program requires an early identification of relevant themes and pilots. Therefore, the task is to collaboratively seek out the most promising themes and pilots while ensuring scientific integrity is maintained. Lesson 2: Practice is the starting point for key lessons Climate research encompasses various main themes and perspectives that overlap and collaborate – and fortunately so! Within this program, practice takes the lead. We move away from silo thinking towards an integrated vision of climate interventions. Lesson 3: Attribute multidisciplinary meaning to concepts The research group consists of seven PhD candidates with very diverse backgrounds. This diversity is both interesting and beneficial for collaboration but also means that not everyone assigns the same meaning to terms. Additionally, research methods and results are valued differently. By jointly defining and appreciating terms and research, this hurdle has been overcome. Lesson 4: Not all good ideas automatically answer a question For creating an evidence base, a large number of pilots are analysed. However, the transition from research to practical application is a significant step that is not feasible for all researchers. The scientists take this into account in both their research and recommendations. Lesson 6: Align reporting with practical touchpoints Delivering the results may still seem far off, but the knowledge brokers are already considering the final report. The end product of this transdisciplinary project requires a non-standard report. With input from various experts, the PhDs are creating a format for key lessons that KIN can build upon. What’s next? In the coming weeks, the PhD candidates will continue their research. On August 15th, the group will reconvene under the guidance of Daphne Truijens to elevate the research to the next level before a live knowledge brokering session with KIN, scheduled for September 11th. The final session is planned for October 29th, where the PhD candidates will visit KIN to deliver and present the project – with a celebratory reception, of course. We are already looking forward to it!

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.