The Delta Commission

In 1953, severe storms in the North Sea led to widespread flooding in the west of the Netherlands. As a result, the Dutch government of the time set up a commission – the Delta Commission – to investigate and report on preventative measures that the country could take to prevent a repeat of the damage. Major civil engineering work resulted – the Delta Works.

 

While the main work was completed in 1997, because of climate change and the rising sea level, up to 30% of the current dikes are considered still not to be high enough. Accordingly, a new Delta Commission was set up in 2007, and today they have presented their report to the Dutch Cabinet. The presentation, by the chairman, Professor dr. Cees Veerman, was televised, and I’ve just been watching it. The results are sobering: by 2050, the sea-level is expected to rise by 40 cm. By 2100, the rise is expected to be between 65 to 130 cm, and by 2200, a rise of between 2 to 4 metres is forecast. The risk of extensive flooding in the Netherlands, if nothing is done, is unacceptable. As Veerman said, the situation is not acute, but it is urgent. The commission has made a number of recommendations. We shall see whether they are carried out, but Prime Minister Balkende, in his response to the report, was very positive and I expect that the report recommendations will be implemented. The potential economic damage to the Netherlands if nothing is done would be disastrous.