Deltas in Times of Climate Change Conference

The conference is organised by the two official Dutch climate research programmes Knowledge for Climate and Climate changes Spatial Planning, and the City of Rotterdam. It is supported by the C40 Climate Leadership Group, the group of world cities tackling climate change. Adaptation to climate change in deltas will be discussed for the first time on such a large scale.

Knowledge and insights will be shared with the aim of identifying effective approaches towards climate change in delta cities and delta areas, particularly with respect to adaptation.

River deltas harbour a tremendous wealth of resources. Billions of people live in deltas. These delta dwellers will be among the first to suffer the immediate consequences of climate change. City authorities have to prepare for contingencies as well as gradual change. They have to assure necessities of life such as clean drinking water and a safe living environment. To achieve this, they need the help of scientists, policymakers and the corporate sector.

The fact that Rotterdam was selected to host the conference is a compliment and a logical choice, according to Mayor Aboutaleb: ‘Rotterdam's climate programme enjoys universal praise, setting an example for other cities around the globe that strive for climate change resilience.'