Logo of the 2025 National Delta Programme
Complete versionChoosing, sharing and adapting: the next chapter in our water tradition
The Delta Programme reports annually on new insights and progress. The highlights from the 2026 Delta Programme are set out below.
It is possible to cope with too much, and too little, water. But only if we adapt.
Weather is becoming more erratic. Extremes of wet or dry weather at present will be normal in the future. That is why we need to manage water differently. And use and plan our country differently: to live and work in climate-resilient ways. Things have to change. Examples of adaptation:
Earmarking space for dike upgrades
Keeping towns and villages cool in extreme heat
Making space to accommodate rainstorms
Both agriculture and nature have to follow climate change
Distributing water efficiently across the Netherlands
Earmarking space for dike upgrades
Making space to accommodate rainstorms
Both agriculture and nature have to follow climate change
Distributing water efficiently across the Netherlands
Keeping towns and villages cool in extreme heat
Three agendas
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Agenda 1
Flood risk management is about flood protection
Floods from the sea, the large lakes and the large rivers
Overarching goal
By 2050, everyone will have the base level of protection. The likelihood of large groups of victims and major economic damage will therefore be very low.
Progress:
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100%
Moving ahead with dike upgrades
We will invest more in dike upgrades to maintain momentum.
Stocking sand
We have to save North Sea sand: sea level rise means that more and more sand is needed for coastal maintenance.
Looking for connections
We can link dike upgrades to river widening and other spatial agendas.
Agenda 2
The freshwater agenda is about resilience to water shortages.
Resilience to too little and too salty water
Overarching goal
The Netherlands will be resilient to water shortages by 2050.
Progress:
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More frequent dry periods
We will have water shortages more often. This will require different ways of doing business and changes to spatial planning.
Getting to work
Many planned measures have been delayed. We will prioritise implementation more.
Distributing water
More fresh water is needed everywhere, for homes, businesses, energy and so on. But there is actually less available.
Agenda 3
Spatial adaptation is about climate-resilient spatial planning
Resilience to damage caused by problems with excessive water, drought, heat and the effects of flooding
Overarching goal
The Netherlands will be climate-resilient by 2050.
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Seeking balance
Climate resilience requires a balance between using the natural system, taking action and being prepared for damage.
Green and blue
With more nature and water, our environment becomes healthy, attractive and climate-resilient.
Broad commitment
The Netherlands can only be climate-resilient if everyone participates and assumes responsibility.
Implementation in the areas
The actual work on the Delta Programme agendas takes place in eight areas. The challenges are increasing as the weather gets more erratic and the sea level rises. All the areas expect that their strategies will have to be adjusted in response to the 2026 periodical evaluation. The direction that will take can be seen below.
Delta commissioner’s recommendations
Co Verdaas
How can we organise implementation? And how will we finance it? Initiate a governmental review.
It is becoming increasingly clear what we must do to maintain climate vitality in the Netherlands. We also know what decisions are needed. The main question now is how to organise the necessary interventions.
How do we find the best solutions for society?
How do we finance a Netherlands that has climate vitality, now and in the future?
With which parties do we form coalitions?
The time to get to work is short. An administrative reconnaissance of these, and other, implementation questions will help to take the right steps in time.
The Delta Fund
The Delta Fund contains the financing provided by the national government to pay for some of the measures in the Delta Programme in the years ahead. Other government authorities contribute as well. The Delta Commissioner does not believe this is enough for the necessary dike upgrades and other measures. This is mainly because more dike upgrades are required than previously thought.
Budget 2015-2050
The budget for the Delta Programme measures is expected to amount to about € 29 billion between 2015 and 2050.
Costs 2015-2050
The measures of the Delta Programme are expected to cost a total of approximately € 38 billion between 2015 and 2050, with a range of +/- € 4 billion.
Periodical evaluation
We will be conducting the periodical evaluation of the Delta Programme in 2026. We will improve the strategy for flood risk management, fresh water and spatial adaptation with the latest scientific insights. We will also show where tough decisions are required.
Conclusion
Climate change is increasingly leading to water shortages and problems with excessive water, and room is needed for stronger dikes and dunes. This means making clear decisions about how we organise and use our space. If we adapt, we will keep the Netherlands liveable, attractive and safe.