The World Economic Forum identified water crisis as one of the biggest global risks. Climate change is evident in water scarcity, sea level rise, extreme storms, floods, salinisation and pollution and is affecting more and more livelihoods. The situation may be complex, but adaptation, knowledge exchange and cooperation are key.
Even if emission reduction efforts succeed and the world meets the Paris Agreement goal of maintaining average temperature increases to below two degrees Celsius, the impacts of climate change will still be felt for decades to come. The world must adapt to this new reality. The urgency to adapt cannot be overestimated. No country in the world can do this alone.
Flooding and water scarcity could have a disastrous impact on a high-density, low lying country. This is why the Netherlands is always looking ahead, finding innovative ways to adapt to the new reality. This mindset, our international approach to peace and security, and our geographical location obliges us to spur dialogue and urge finding solutions for adaptation worldwide.