The Integration of the Adaptation Approach into EU and Dutch Legislation on Flood Risk Management

Climate change, worldwide, gives rise to multifarious issues concerning water management. This will lead to both an increase of flood risks and risks related to drought and water scarcity, mostly as a result of sea level rise, increasing river discharges and heavy rainfall, respectively longer, more severe warm and dry periods at regional levels. Given the high divergence regarding the regional effects of climate change, the national and regional levels are the appropriate levels at which extensively to elaborate the adaptation approach. The role of the Commission is an initiating, facilitating, stimulating, information-sharing, awareness-raising, co-funding, coordinating, supervisory, evaluative and framework-setting one.