Responding to climate change with Blue Transition
Blue Transition is an EU collaboration in the North Sea region. As part of this initiative, we are working with many other partners on various pilot projects to address climate change. We are focusing on drought, flooding, and water quality.
The EU, the UN, and Climate Change
Climate change, human activities, and changes to the landscape are increasing the pressure on our groundwater and soil. All these factors affecting groundwater and soil are interconnected in complex ways. Changes in these factors can amplify the negative impacts 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 quantities of good-quality water in the long term. Blue Transition is one of the Interreg North Sea Region projects implementing these guidelines.
Systematic Approach for 2023–2026
Blue Transition aims to respond to climate change with a systematic transformation: a 'Blue Transition'. This change requires various actions from many parties, both in the short and long term. These actions aim to address drought, flooding, and impacts on water quality. In doing so, both the water system and the soil are taken into account. The programme, which includes various pilot projects, runs from 1 March 2023 to 1 March 2026.
Drents Plateau Pilot Project and the Stream Valleys
In the Drents Plateau pilot area, we are studying how the water system works exactly on the high sandy soils. Retaining water during wet and dry periods is also part of this pilot. In addition, we are exploring options for replenishing groundwater reserves. Within this pilot area, a testing site will be established in the area around Zeijen. Here, we will work with landowners in this area on small-scale water retention initiatives. Members of the Boermarke Zeijen and farmers in Veenhuizen are enthusiastic about getting involved.
Pilot Project: Northern Coastal Strip
For the Northern Coastal Strip pilot area, we are carrying out research on the efficient use of freshwater. As part of the pilot, we are evaluating the current freshwater supply plan. We are exploring ways to improve the plan. The goal is to use scarce freshwater as efficiently as possible. In this pilot area, we are also looking for a testing site. Together with landowners, we will examine the effectiveness of measures to retain 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 efficiently.
More information
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