Sustainable Earth

The far-reaching effects of humans on the earth are becoming increasingly more visible and noticeable in virtually every part of this world: hot and cold, dry and wet, rich and poor. This concerns the climate , the environment and ecosystems, but to an increasing extent, indirectly, harmful consequences on safety, economic development, poverty, public health and welfare Too. Whereas previously most attention was given to describing the processes and preventing harmful effects (mitigation), now attention is also increasingly being devoted to the need to adjust to these changes (adaptation). Integral scientific research into the (correlated) causes and effects, in relation to the Earth as a natural system are indispensable for supporting an effective approach, as is the translation of results into scenarios and solutions. International, global cooperation is an essential part of this. Dutch science is playing a prominent role in several areas of this research.

With the multidisciplinary theme Sustainable Earth NWO wants to strengthen this position. The emphasis will be on creating focus and critical mass in the research areas where the Netherlands has an international position, such as Climate, Geodynamics, Water, Coastal and Marine research, Sustainable Technologies and Energy issues.

The focus will be on multidisciplinary research in the subsidiary fields:

• Energy and emissions;
• Changes in the climate system;
• People and the environment: natural resources, water, rivers, coastal zones.

In the investment policy the emphasis is on an integral, multidisciplinary approach from Earth and Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Technical and Social Sciences. The results of this research will be of direct importance for the development of policy and innovations. This programme links up with the Innovation Platform’s key area Water , the foresight studies of COS, the themes of TNO and the GTIs, the strategic agendas of the government departments as well as the EU Framework Programmes.