Product

Climate Impact Atlas

The Climate Impact Atlas is an online collection of maps that show potential climate changes and the effects of changes for the Netherlands on regional scale. The atlas covers four threats – flooding, waterlogging, drought and heat – and provides scenarios for the situation in 2050.

What information can I find in the Atlas?

The Climate Impact Atlas maps the primary effects of climate change in the Netherlands, for example precipitation, temperature and number of tropical days. This information has been used to create comprehensive picture of the secondary effects (flood risk, waterlogging, extreme downpours, salinisation and heat in cities). Maps show the qualitative consequences of these effects for different regions in the Netherlands.

What can I use the Atlas for?

You can use the Climate Impact Atlas to create your own high-resolution PDF maps that you can print or download. This information can help in the design of climate-resilient areas and landscapes. Local authorities and planners can easily see what might happen in the future and how to adjust their plans and designs accordingly.

Good to know

Displaying climate data on maps can give the impression of high geographical accuracy. This is not possible for current climate conditions, or for maps of future scenarios. There is no simple relationship between the various climate effects, for example between rainfall and temperature, or between flooding and drought. Because of the long time period and underlying uncertainties, the maps should be interpreted with care. They are not suitable for detailed local-level studies.