Responding to climate change with Blue Transition
Blue Transition is an EU collaboration within the North Sea region. Within this framework, we are working with many other parties in various pilot projects to respond to climate change. We are looking at drought, flooding, and water quality.
EU, UN, and climate change
Climate change, human use, and changes in the landscape are increasing pressure on our groundwater and soil. All these factors that influence groundwater and soil are interconnected in complex ways. Changes in these factors can exacerbate the negative effects on groundwater and soil. Various EU and UN programs provide guidelines for groundwater, water, and soil. These guidelines call for faster and more systematic change. This is necessary to ensure that we maintain sufficient good-quality water in the long term. Blue Transition is one of the Interreg North Sea Region projects that implement these guidelines.
Systematic approach 2023 to 2026
Blue Transition aims to respond to climate change through systematic change, a 'Blue Transition'. This change requires various actions from many parties, both in the short and long term. These actions aim to tackle drought, flooding, and the impact on water quality. The water system and the soil are both taken into account. The program, which includes various pilots, will run from March 1, 2023, to March 1, 2026.
Pilot Drents Plateau and the stream valleys
In the Drents Plateau pilot area, we are investigating exactly how the water system on the high sandy soils works. Retaining water in wet and dry periods is also part of this pilot. In addition, we are looking at possibilities for replenishing groundwater reserves. Within this pilot area, a testing ground will be established for the area around Zeijen. Here, we will work on a small scale with the landowners in this area to retain water. The members of the Boermarke Zeijen and the farmers in Veenhuizen are enthusiastic about getting started with this.
Pilot northern coastal strip
For the Northern Coastal Strip pilot area, we are conducting research into the economical use of fresh water. As part of the pilot, we are evaluating the current fresh water supply plan. We are looking for ways to improve the plan. The goal is to use scarce fresh water as wisely as possible. We are also looking for a testing ground in this pilot area. Together with landowners, we will examine the effectiveness of measures for retaining rainwater. We want to improve the freshwater supply system and retain rainwater more effectively and locally. In doing so, we are working to increase the local availability of freshwater and use supplied freshwater economically.
More information
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