Puzzle pieces from government

The National Environmental Vision (NOVI) describes the development direction of the Netherlands and the challenges we face. In doing so, the national government has responsibility for the 21 national interests. Central to the NOVI were four strategic tasks:

1. Towards a sustainable and competitive economy
   Innovation, knowledge, increasing productivity and sustainability are increasingly important for economic development and living standards.
2. Towards a climate-proof and climate-neutral society.
   The stakes are less energy consumption and more sustainable resources. At the same time, the Netherlands must be equipped for the consequences of climate change, such as heat stress and flooding.
3. Towards a future-proof and accessible living and working environment.
   How does the Netherlands remain accessible and thus the business climate attractive? Where should new housing be built?
4. Towards a Valuable Environment
   How is the natural environment including agriculture, nature and landscape treated responsibly?

In order to work as integrally as possible, four priorities have been identified along the lines of these 4 strategic tasks:

1. Sustainable economic growth potential for the Netherlands.

   From the strong international position of the Netherlands, work needs to be done on a new sustainable economic revenue model. The focus includes:

   • Transformation of production processes: circular economy.
   • Commitment to new technological developments, such as robotization and digitization.
   • Strong, livable and attractive cities.
   • Transformation of industrial areas.

2. Space for climate and energy transition

   Adaptations to climate change and energy transition are the great transitions of our time. They require far-reaching choices and will determine the design of the physical environment in the coming decades. The focus includes:

   • Making existing built environment more sustainable.
   • Renewable heat options and associated infrastructure (geothermal, heat pumps, space for heat networks in urban regions).
   • Renewable electricity (space for both lots for offshore wind energy, solar roofs and meadows as well as onshore wind).
   • Energy networks (offshore wind landfall and transit, transmission and storage).
   • New siting policy for large energy consumers (as much as possible at land points of energy from the sea).

3. Strong, livable and climate-resistant cities and regions with enough space to live, work and move.

   High-quality locations for urbanization linked to housing needs and coordinated with mobility. Initially inner-city (including transformation) and, where necessary, on the edges of already built-up areas.

   • Climate adaptive design, taking into account water safety, sufficient water storage possibilities and prevention of heat stress.
   • Nature-inclusive and health-protective and health-promoting planning (more green space, more exercise)
   • Directly including the sustainability of the built environment (natural gas-free neighborhoods).

4. Future-proof rural development.

   Developments in agriculture, the pressure on the quality of the living environment and nature, and shrinkage problems in certain regions require a new vision and targeted choices regarding the rural area. The focus includes:

   • Nature-inclusive and circular agriculture and horticulture.
   • Reducing the health effects of intensive livestock production.
   • Attention to vacant farmland and agricultural buildings (including associated livability issues).
   • Soil subsidence issues.

In addition, the State has established 3 balancing principles:

1. Combinations of functions take precedence over single functions.
2. Characteristics and identity of an area are central.
3. Passing on is prevented.

The national government has applied these consideration principles for each priority and from this follows the direction for decentralized choices (including preference sequences in the areas of for energy (conservation, wind, solar, heat), urbanization, large-scale space consumers (such as distribution/data centers) and regional water management. This gives municipalities direction in their policy choices while allowing for local considerations appropriate to the characteristics of the area. 

The concept of "Water and soil guiding" means that water and soil conditions are guiding spatial developments and policy decisions. This principle is becoming increasingly important due to climate change, increasing flooding, drought and subsidence. Core principles are:

Spatial Planning:

• Building with water and soil: New construction projects take into account water storage, drainage and soil properties. This means, for example, avoiding building in low-lying or flood-prone areas.
• Landscaping: The landscape is designed to support the natural water and soil system. This may include clearing space for rivers and creating natural water buffers.

Climate adaptation:  

• Water-Resilient Design: Cities and towns are designed to withstand extreme weather conditions such as heavy rainfall and prolonged drought. This can be done through the construction of green roofs, wadis (water-storing green areas) and other measures that capture and retain water.
• Drought resilience: Agriculture and wildlife management are being adapted to be more resilient to drought, for example by promoting deep root growth in crops and restoring natural watercourses.

Nature and Environment:  

• Natural solutions: The policy promotes the use of natural solutions, such as peatland restoration, wetland creation and improving soil health. This contributes to biodiversity and enhances natural water management.
• Water Quality: Active measures to improve water quality by addressing pollution sources and encouraging ecologically sound water management.

The Provincial Environmental Vision (POVI) entitled "Cool Gelderland" formulates the following tasks/goals:

• By 2050, Gelderland will be climate neutral. We achieve this through large-scale conservation and generation from various sustainable sources of energy, such as wind, solar, hydropower, biomass and soil energy. And we encourage innovation and the rollout of proven technologies.
• As an interim goal, we achieve 55% greenhouse gas reduction in Gelderland by 2030.
• By 2050, Gelderland will be climate-proof. We are well prepared and equipped for the consequences of climate change: flooding, drought, heat stress and flooding.
• In 2020, together with partners, we identified the risks and opportunities of the changing climate and created strategies to guide our actions.
• We want to be the first waste-free province in the Netherlands. Waste no longer exists; there are only raw materials that retain their value permanently in our clean industry.
• To achieve this, by 2030 the use of primary raw materials in Gelderland is reduced by 50%.
• Biodiversity in Gelderland is doing well by 2050. Gelderland will be working in a nature-inclusive way. Biodiversity will be strengthened and integrated wherever possible, even outside areas specifically designated as nature reserves.
• By 2030, 75% of the European goals of the Birds and Habitats Directive will have been met.
• By 2050, the growth in mobility will have been accommodated in a smart way and people in Gelderland will move around safely, quickly, affordably and in a climate-neutral way. Fast and safe internet serves as an alternative to physical travel.
• By 2050, Gelderland's freight transport network is accessible, sustainable and climate neutral.
• By 2030, all our bus transportation is zero-emission and 35% of total trips are by bicycle.
• We want to further strengthen our competitive position within the international urban network of Amsterdam, Brussels and Cologne. To remain distinctive, we will take maximum advantage of our unique combination of urban and green qualities by 2050.
• By 2050, all workplaces in Gelderland are sustainably designed in terms of energy, climate resistance and logistics and production flows. We are frontrunners in the Netherlands.
• Gelderland has a range of housing types and living environments appropriate to the diversity of housing demand; a suitable, sustainable home for everyone. We make optimal use of the existing built environment with sufficient space for climate-adaptive measures.
• All new construction will be constructed natural gas-free and, to the extent possible, circular. By 2035, all (existing) neighborhoods will be off natural gas.
• Homes in Gelderland are climate neutral by 2050. 

P2 The Vitaal Platteland Gelderland program focuses on promoting a sustainable, livable and economically resilient rural community. The program is an initiative of the province of Gelderland and includes various policies and measures to address rural challenges and opportunities. Objectives of the Vitaal Platteland Gelderland program are:

• Strengthen social cohesion and amenity levels in rural villages.  
• Support initiatives that contribute to residents' quality of life, such as meeting places and care facilities.  
• Stimulate local economies by supporting entrepreneurship and innovative agriculture.  
• Promote employment by attracting businesses and supporting local start-ups.  
• Promote sustainable agricultural practices and nature-inclusive agriculture.  
• Protect and enhance nature and landscape, including biodiversity and ecological networks.  
• Realize sufficient and suitable housing that meets the needs of the rural population.  
• Encourage sustainable and energy-efficient construction methods.  
• Improve the accessibility of rural areas through good infrastructure and public transportation.  
• Promote sustainable mobility, such as cycling and electric transport.