News

With the new Delta-lab, the research of knowledge institute Deltares on water and subsurface systems gets a major boost. The Delta-lab in Delft brings together applied experimental research, integrated expertise and the latest technology in a high-quality building. Knowledge from this lab contributes to society's growing demand for a healthy living environment.

At the end of September, Deltares and the Port of Rotterdam Authority signed a cooperation agreement with the aim of collaborating on innovations for water management and the subsurface in the port region. The agreement aims to develop joint knowledge, in order to make the port of Rotterdam more sustainable and more resilient to climate change.

Deltares has published the Activity Plan Mission-driven research 2025 in draft. It outlines the main lines of the Strategic Research that Deltares will carry out in 2025.

Water remains an underdeveloped topic in responsible investing. This is concerning, given the fundamental role it plays in biodiversity and economic growth, its close connection to climate change impacts, and the fact that access to clean water is a basic human right. A new report provides actionable insights for investors and businesses. From global to local: enhancing ESG data on Water offers water-related recommendations in support of responsible investment.

Cities are hot spots of economic and social activity. Most investment takes place in these areas. But cities are also hot spots for climate adaptation, with rising temperatures and increasingly extreme weather. Water surpluses and shortages are a challenge for the future-resilience of the safety, habitability, and health of cities.

The SpongeWorks project, which aims to enhance natural water retention at the landscape scale, has officially started. This Horizon Europe project focuses on advancing scientific knowledge and practical implementation of nature-based solutions in three large-scale river-basins in France, Greece, and Germany and the Netherlands. Deltares is co-coordinating the project, focusing on the implementation of practical solutions in the Vecht basin region.

Growing seaweed between wind turbines on the North Sea: that will become a reality this autumn at the Netherlands' first commercial seaweed farm. At wind farm Hollandse Kust Zuid, about eighteen kilometres off the coast of Scheveningen, North Sea Farm 1 will rise. Seaweed cultivation contributes to sequestering carbon and reducing CO2 emissions. Deltares is part of the initiating consortium North Sea Farmers.

Adaptation to the effects of climate change is becoming increasingly important. A tool that can help deal with such a long-term uncertainty is the adaptive pathways method, in which pivotal decisions are aligned with multiple pathways under different futures. In a recent study, published in Global Environmental Change, we analysed the use of adaptive pathways worldwide over the period of 10 years. We found that adaptive pathways planning helps to accelerate adaptation, generate new ideas, and identify path-dependency, barriers and opportunities.

Mick van der Wegen, Senior Advisor, conducted the recertification audit Delft3D Certified Modelling Centre 2024-2027 on behalf of Deltares. It was conducted along Good Modelling Practice (GMP) and two recently completed projects were audited. Below is a brief review of the elements of the audit.

Scientists, amongst which Deltares experts, have built a 50-metre scale replica of a coral reef island to explore how its real-life counterparts might be impacted by rising sea levels. The model has been designed to mimic atoll islands in the Maldives and the Pacific Ocean, thought to be among the most vulnerable parts of the planet as the climate changes.

CRIDA, a method for climate resilient water resources planning developed by Deltares and the US Army Corps of Engineers, has achieved ‘flagship initiative’ status within UNESCO.

Deltares experts will be in attendance and will host several sessions during the Stockholm Water Week 2024, which takes place from 25 – 29 August. A key event for the international water sector, this year’s Water Week’s theme is: Bridging Borders: Water for a Peaceful and Sustainable Future.