Delta Climate Center
Research

Knowledge institutes such as Scalda, HZ University of Applied Sciences, University College Roosevelt, NIOZ, Utrecht University, and Wageningen University & Research, which have established the Delta Climate Center, will closely cooperate in comprehensive, practice-oriented, and scientific research.

Research

The research program of the Delta Climate Center focuses on four broad themes related to delta regions: Watershed landscapes and nature-based solutions, Food-water-energy-materials nexus, Circularity and chain management. These three substantive themes are connected by one common theme: Developing regional transitions.

Iconic project Delta Climate Center: δelta Protein

The mission of the Delta Climate Center is to develop and connect knowledge about Zeeland's delta to meet the social demand for transitions toward a sustainable, climate-resilient, and prosperous delta.

The iconic project δelta Protein, starting after summer 2023, is an example of this. It focuses on the food transition: replacing animal proteins in our food with plant proteins. The results will be used to conduct further research and develop innovations with industry and other organizations.

Central to δelta Protein is research into the production and consumption of plant proteins. These must be produced, packaged, and offered to consumers in a sustainable and non-wasteful manner throughout the food production chain. This ties in with theme 3: Circularity and chain management.

Circular economy

At the same time, research is also being conducted on new, circular production methods in which packaging also plays a role in bringing new products to (global) consumers in an attractive way. The aim is for the protein transition to become increasingly part of the daily diet.

This involves questions such as the competences needed in business and how the knowledge institutes will train students (some of whom are already working) in this area, as well as how to meet additional requirements in agricultural, environmental, water, and nature protection regulations.

Research in these areas will strengthen Zeeland's economy. Innovations contribute to the renewal and continuity of the entire business community, from breeders to shops and the catering industry, and ultimately benefit the public, while maintaining a balance between economic, social, and ecological values.

δelta Protein is aligned with the strategic agenda of the Food Delta Zeeland innovation network. The aim is for the Zeeland delta to become a source of sustainable, tasty, affordable, and healthy food from marine sources within the natural boundaries of the delta, with good earning potential for Zeeland entrepreneurs.

Research

Watershed landscapes

The Climate Adaptation Strategy Zeeland shows a necessarily high level of ambition, with the goal of being climate-proof and water-robust by 2050, covering infrastructure, robust nature that can cope with climate extremes, and sustainable agriculture. DCC is investigating how water and the coast can help us counter climate change and adapt to its consequences. This includes research into new approaches to climate-resilient coastal defence, especially using nature-based solutions.

Development of regional transitions

How can regional transitions towards a sustainable, climate-resilient and prosperous delta be shaped and managed? This cross-cutting theme involves research and interventions aimed at understanding and organising information, institutions and cultural aspects of the transitions, with a particular focus on the perspectives of data and technology, governance and law, art and culture.

Food-water-energy-materials nexus

We conduct research on how we can use our food, energy and biobased resources, combat climate change and adapt to its consequences. This includes, for example, research on the transition from terrestrial animal to marine and plant protein, the transition to a circular and bio-based economy based on renewable materials, sustainable energy and the transition to guaranteed healthy and safe food. Research on energy, and the transition to an emission-neutral system, takes place at the interfaces of development of new energy systems, food and natural processes. New developments and research on impacts and implementation include marine energy such as the development of energy generation through tidal power and waves, as well as solar energy at sea, linked to food production and hydrogen. These often involve distribution issues: for instance, a lot of water is needed to generate energy (as feedstock for hydrogen and cooling power plants), energy is needed to clean and convert water into hydrogen, with water becoming increasingly scarce - also for the food chain.

Circularity and chain management

This theme focuses on both food and non-food applications. It involves the use of all substance streams (upgrading) of bio-resources from the delta. It focuses on the entire chain from the primary sector to the processing industry, catering and retail and the consumer goods industry. Circularity is a key principle here: when using water, energy and nutrients. Through mitigating measures and attention to biodiversity, for example, cultivation will be designed differently (more diverse, local, small-scale, using precision agriculture and nature-inclusive agriculture).