In the near future, we in Nuenen will face more frequent flooding due to heavy rainfall. There will also be more heat waves like the one in the summer of 2019. In particular, the temperature in areas with a lot of pavement then rises sharply and causes heat stress. Extreme heat also produces drought. This makes the coolest places in cores with lots of greenery and trees vulnerable. These are some of the conclusions from the climate stress test that the municipality of Nuenen commissioned in 2019/2020.

Climate stress test Map effects of climate change on Nuenen

With the climate stress test, we as a municipality want to show what effects of climate change may occur within our municipal borders today or in the future. If we want to prepare for climate change, we must first understand what is going to change and what the consequences might be. The climate stress test brings that into focus. The climate stress test in itself does not offer solutions, it only identifies the bottlenecks.

Outcomes climate stress test

The climate stress test consists of a report and a storymap (online Maps). For more background on the storymap, it is helpful if you keep the report with it.
Both the report and the storymap look at the three long-term climate trends most important to Nuenen:

1. It's getting wetter.
2. It's getting warmer.
3. It's getting drier.

Report

The report first identifies the consequences of the three climate trends at the national level. It then zooms in on the bottlenecks within Nuenen. Consultation took place with various (semi-)governmental bodies and interested organizations within Nuenen. 

Storymap

The storymap consists of Maps showing longer-term projections for the three climate trends (note that these are theoretical models that cannot be used directly at the plot or building level). 

Climate dialogues

Using the information from the climate stress test, we as a government will enter into 'climate dialogues' about how we want to deal with climate change within the municipality of Nuenen. In the first instance we will do this with the parties who were also consulted in the climate stress test. Naturally, Nuenen residents are also free to request information from the municipality. The climate dialogues still to be conducted should ultimately produce an implementation program.

Climate stress test update

Developments will continue in the coming years and new insights will emerge as a result. Consider, for example, the new climate scenarios from the KNMI. With new insights, the climate stress test will be repeated (supplemented and updated) every six years. 

^{Flooding in Nuenen (photo: Tim Raats)}