Report Rising land concept

Major Challenges

Rising sea levels and land subsidence form a challenge to keep the Netherlands safe from floodings in the future. By 2100, depending on the KNMI scenario, sea levels could rise between 26 and 124 cm. Combined with expected land subsidence of up to 30 cm by 2050 along the Wadden Sea coast and in the Delta, the challenges will significantly increase. In addition, we will face more issues with salinization, the state of nature is deteriorating, and the demand for recreational space is increasing. All these challenges ask for a water safety strategy that not only prevents flooding but also contributes to other objectives.

Rising Land concept as a Solution for Coastal Protection

WWF and ARK Rewilding Netherlands have long been involved in the search for multifunctional, nature-inclusive water safety measures and have much experience in concept development around Nature-Based Solutions (NBS). Under the banner of "Rising Land," we present an exploration of one such concept. Instead of using traditional solutions like grey infrastructural dikes, this approach utilizes natural sedimentation processes to allow delta, coastal, and Wadden Sea areas to grow with rising sea levels.

The Rising Land concept not only offers benefits for water safety but also has the potential to enhance recreation, aquaculture, and agriculture, as well as nature and biodiversity. A cost-benefit analysis by NIOZ shows that this solution, due to lower costs and higher benefits, could even be a cheaper alternative to conventional water safety solutions such as dike reinforcement.

Location Study

The report describes the Rising Land concept as an alternative water safety strategy. Locations for its implementation in the Delta and along the Groningen and Frisian coasts have been studied. The location study reveals that of the 740 km of primary dike length, 435 km could be suitable. In total, this represents over 39,000 hectares (21,700 hectares for the Southwest Delta and 17,500 hectares for the northern coasts along Groningen, Friesland, and North Holland = 39,200 hectares). This is 2% of the national agricultural area in the Netherlands, and regionally, it could reach up to 11% of the agricultural area in the Southwest Delta.