Unlike the majority of European respondents, most of those in the Netherlands do not believe they will have to adapt their way of life to cope with the effects of a changing climate. However, they do see the economic opportunity adaptation presents: Almost nine out of ten respondents in the Netherlands say that investment in adaptation can create jobs and boost the local economy, according to the annual Climate Survey commissioned by the European Investment Bank (EIB).
Key findings
- 93% of Dutch respondents agree that it’s important for the Netherlands to adapt to climate change. Nearly half (49%) believe adaptation should be a national priority.
- Only 46% believe they will have to adapt their way of life because of climate change impact (compared to the EU average of 72%).
- However, 86% recognise that investment in adaptation can create jobs and boost local economies
- 77% agree that spending on climate adaptation is required urgently to avoid even higher costs in the future.
In the Netherlands, 2023 was the warmest and wettest year on record. It started out unusually warm, with January temperatures reaching 15.6°C, and ended with heavy rain and strong winds.
Unusual weather continued to impact the country in 2024, with severe storms that brought heavy rain and strong winds, causing localised flooding and disruptions to infrastructure and services.
As natural disasters increase in frequency and severity, the economic toll of climate change continues to rise. Scientists warn that these disasters will become increasingly costly. According to a report by the European Environment Agency,[1] Europe is currently the fastest-warming continent, with the number of extreme weather events expected to increase as global temperatures rise. A higher number of extreme weather events poses a significant threat to infrastructure and the stability of global water and food supplies, underlining the urgent need for comprehensive climate change adaptation strategies.
Today, the EIB released its seventh annual Climate Survey, which presents the views of over 24 000 respondents from across the European Union and the United States on the topic of climate change. In the Netherlands, 1 008 people took part in the survey, which was conducted in August 2024.
A priority and an economic opportunity
- 93% of Dutch respondents (very close to the EU average of 94%) recognise the need to adapt to climate change. 49% (compared to 50% for the EU average) consider climate adaptation a priority for their country in the coming years, while 44% think it is important but not a priority.
Adapting to climate change is also considered an economic opportunity and a long-term investment:
- 88% say that investing in climate change adaptation can create jobs and boost the local economy.
- 77% believe that adapting to climate change requires investment now to avoid higher costs later.
The impact of climate change and new habits
Dutch respondents recognise the economic opportunities that climate change adaptation measures present. At the same time, first-hand experiences of extreme weather events add to the sense that urgent action is required – albeit less so than for most other country groups:
- 59% of them (compared to the EU average of 80%) have experienced at least one extreme weather event in the last five years. 34% have suffered from extreme heat and heatwaves, 29% have experienced severe storms or hail and 24% have faced drought.
Extreme weather events have serious, wide-ranging consequences:
- Only 50% of Dutch respondents have experienced direct negative consequences of extreme weather events – 18 points below the EU average of 68%. 18% have been impacted by transport disruptions; 18% have had property damage (for example, roof damage) due to flooding, landslides or soil erosion; and 13% have faced food supply issues (such as the reduced availability of certain products).
Only a minority of Dutch respondents feel they need to adapt the way they live:
- 46% (compared to the EU average of 72%) recognise that they will have to adapt their lifestyle due to climate change.
- 25% (compared to 35% for the EU) think they will have to move to a less climate-vulnerable place (whether locally or abroad) to avoid floods, forest fires or other extreme weather events.
- 21% (compared to the EU average of 28%) say they will have to move to a cooler region or country.
To be able to adapt to climate change, individuals need the right information. Encouragingly, most Dutch respondents (75%, above the EU average of 71%) feel they are informed about what they can do to adapt their homes and lifestyles effectively. However, more than half (52%, compared to the EU average of 60%) are unaware of public subsidies or financial incentives to support their efforts.
Adaptation priorities
Dutch respondents identify the following key priorities for local climate adaptation:
- 46% highlight adding tree-lined streets or creating green spaces to cool cities down.
- 41% cite improving infrastructure; for example, installing better drainage systems, flood barriers, storm shelters or more resilient power grids.
- 36% mention planting vegetation that is more resilient to climate change.
When asked who should pay for climate change adaptations:
- 36% think that the costs should be borne by the companies and industries that contribute most to climate change.
- 30% think everyone should pay equally.
- 14% say that wealthier individuals should bear the costs through higher taxes.
When asked who should be the first to receive adaptation assistance:
- 44% – similar to the EU average – believe that everyone should benefit equally.
- 23% say that people living in high-risk areas should be the first to receive support.
- 21% (7 points below the EU average) think that the elderly should be prioritised.
Concerns about who should benefit from adaptation aid go beyond national priorities. More than half of Dutch respondents (59%, 2 points above the EU average) recognise the need to support global adaptation efforts and believe that their country should do more to help the most vulnerable developing nations adapt to the growing impacts of climate change.
Background information
EIB Group
The ElB is the long-term lending institution of the European Union, owned by the Member States. It finances sound investments that pursue EU policy objectives. EIB projects bolster competitiveness, drive innovation, promote sustainable development, enhance social and territorial cohesion, and support a just and swift transition to climate neutrality.
The EIB Group, which also includes the European Investment Fund (EIF), signed a total of €88 billion in new financing in 2023 – 90% of it in the European Union. These commitments are expected to mobilise around €320 billion in investment, supporting 400 000 companies and 5.4 million jobs.
All projects financed by the EIB Group are in line with the Paris Climate Agreement. The EIB Group does not fund investments in fossil fuels. It is on track to deliver on its commitment to support €1 trillion in climate and environmental sustainability investment in the decade to 2030, as pledged in its Climate Bank Roadmap. Over half of the EIB Group’s annual financing supports projects that contribute directly to climate change mitigation and adaptation, and a healthier environment.
Around half of EIB financing within the European Union is directed to cohesion regions, where per capita income is lower. This underscores the Bank’s commitment to fostering inclusive growth and the convergence of living standards.
The EIB and climate adaptation in the Netherlands
In the Netherlands, the EIB Group supports climate-related projects on a local, regional and national level. In 2023, EIB Group financing in the Netherlands totalled some €2.7 billion, of which 57% was earmarked for climate and sustainability projects. The financing supports projects with a direct impact on people’s day-to-day lives – for example, drinking water production companies serving nearly 90% of the Dutch population. In addition, the EIB Group also finances innovations in the field of plastics recycling, battery technology and energy efficiency in public buildings. The Bank supports renewable energy projects as well as expanding network capacity, to handle both an increase in green energy production and rising demand from consumers and businesses. It is leading investment in electromobility solutions and sustainable transport in cities and beyond, including metro lines, trams, trains and electric vehicles. The EIB Group supports national priorities – for example, by providing loans for the sustainable, energy-efficient refurbishment of 20 hospitals, and making over €13 billion in credit lines available to local small and medium businesses, together with partner banks in the Netherlands over the last ten years.
The EIB Climate Survey
The EIB, the climate bank, released the seventh annual EIB Climate Survey today. The survey contains the views of over 24 000 respondents. Since its inception in 2018, it has provided valuable insight into how people in the European Union and the United States feel about climate change. This year’s survey was run by BVA Xsight from 6 to 23 August 2024. Respondents could complete it online by computer, tablet or mobile phone. More information about the methodology can be found here.
[1] Europe is not prepared for rapidly growing climate risks | European Environment Agency's home page (europa.eu).