Governing climate change in Dutch cities: anchoring local climate strategies in organisation, policy and practical implementation

Abstract

Although Dutch cities were among the forerunners in local climate policy, a systematic overview on climate mitigation and adaptation policy is still missing. This study aims to fill this gap by analysing 25 Dutch cities using indicators for the level of anchoring in policy, organisation and practical implementation as well as multi-level relations. Since Tilburg, Amsterdam, Den Haag and Rotterdam show a higher performance than other Dutch cities, these four cities are used as reference cities. The findings suggest that structural integration of climate mitigation and adaptation is limited in Dutch cities. The study points at three recent trends in local climate governance in the Netherlands: (i) decentralisation within municipal organisations, (ii) externalisation initiatives that place climate policy outside the municipal organisation and (iii) regionalisation with neighbouring municipalities and the provincial government.

Keywords:

• climate change
• local governance
• mitigation
• adaptation
• anchoring

Notes

1. Climate strategies are often incorporated within broader sustainability strategies. However, as this article discusses climate change, we refer to climate strategies, taking note such strategies may address more than climate change.

2. NL Agency, an agency under the former Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation, involved with local/regional climate policy.

3. Arnhem declined to participate in the study.

4. Existing tools, like climate monitor (klimaatmonitor), do not evaluate/compare performance of Dutch municipalities in a systematic way (NL Agency 2011b).

5. For example, sustainability ranking (“Duurzaamheidsmeter”) from COS Nederland (2009) or climate monitor (“Klimaatmonitor”) from NL Agency; ICLEI (Local Governments for Sustainability) (2010–2014) and I amsterdam (2014) (see facts and figures).

6. When the research was conducted, the Netherlands was governed by Rutte I, which was replaced by Rutte II in November 2012.

7. BANS: Bestuursakkoord Nieuwe Stijl (New Style Management Agreement) and SLOK: Stimulering LOkale Klimaatinitiatieven (Promotion of local climate initiatives).

8. Municipalities cannot require more than the national minimum requirements for building and energy efficiency, mentioned in “Bouwbesluit” (Building Decree).

9. Green Deals, initiated by Rutte I, operate on a project level, instead of a comprehensive approach.