NL2120 brings together science, business, government, conservation and education to develop and scale up Nature-based Solutions to societal challenges, such as climate adaptation and land use.
About the study
The report “Of Course It Can Be Smarter” presents visions for 2120 for five landscapes: coastal, riverine, peatland, sandy soils, and urban. For each landscape, the nature-based approach is compared with continuing current policies. The report uses the KNMI’s warm climate scenario from 2023. The calculations for the coast assume a 1-meter rise in sea level by 2100. The report was prepared by a team of leading experts from organisations including Wageningen University & Research, Deltares, Sweco, HKV, Arcadis, One Architecture, WWF-NL, Staatsbosbeheer, Natuurmonumenten, IUCN NL, and Vogelbescherming Nederland. A background report is available for each landscape via Solutions | NL2120.
“Driven by the need for a realistic and hopeful perspective on the future design of the Netherlands, we published a new map of the Netherlands in 2020. It showed what the Netherlands could look like if we work in harmony with nature. With NL2120, we have now better substantiated this vision and translated it into quantified future scenarios. This report highlights the importance of nature-based solutions, identifies opportunities to make the Netherlands future-proof with nature as our ally, and outlines how we can achieve this.”
Tim van Hattum, a climate scientist at Wageningen University & Research and founder of NL2120
Five promising strategies
According to the report, there are many opportunities to make the Netherlands climate-resilient using natural solutions, combined with technical measures where necessary. Five promising strategies are elaborated:
- Growing coastal landscapes : along the coast, a broad, natural transition zone of dunes, salt marshes, mudflats, and shallow waters is emerging. Sand and silt can settle here, allowing the landscape to literally grow along with the rising sea level. This creates a natural ‘cushion’ that slows down waves and protects the coast. At the same time, valuable new delta nature is emerging.
- Giving rivers more space : rivers can flow more freely again, with wider, varied floodplains and natural banks. This creates more space to absorb high water, prevents further erosion of riverbeds, and ensures that rivers remain navigable for longer, even during dry periods. At the same time, the unique river nature is strengthened.
- Rewetting peat meadow areas : the water level is raised, causing the peat to become wetter again, oxidize less rapidly, and where possible even regenerate. In this way, CO2 is sequestered and further soil subsidence, foundation damage, and greenhouse gas emissions are prevented. At the same time, opportunities arise for new forms of agriculture, from wet crops to dairy farming that are suited to a wetter landscape. In this way, we transform a vulnerable peat meadow area into a landscape with a new economic perspective.
- Increasing the sponge effect in sandy areas : space is created for stream valleys to once again naturally capture, retain, and slowly release water at the level of the entire catchment area. This makes the landscape more resilient to both drought and flooding, and creates a better balance between the natural water system and space for housing, recreation, drinking water, and food production. This ensures that these functions remain possible in the long term.
- Greening cities : nature is being brought back into the city, from green roofs and rows of trees to parks and green-blue spaces. In this way, the city captures more rainwater and provides cooling during hot and dry periods. A healthier and more pleasant living environment is also created for millions of Dutch people.