Delta Climate Center launches first PhD projects: Zeeland as a Living Lab for Sustainable Deltas

The Delta Climate Center (DCC) in the Dutch province of Zeeland is an innovative research and education initiative focused on addressing the critical challenges of climate change and sustainability in delta regions. Hugo de Boer, DCC scientific lead for the Faculty of Geosciences, explains: “The DCC functions as a ‘living lab’, where real-world experiments generate practical solutions for regional and global challenges.”

In 2024, Utrecht University’s Copernicus Institute, HZ University of Applied Sciences and Deltares collaboratively launched the first three flagship PhD research projects at the DCC, each tackling pressing regional challenges. We sat down with PhD researchers Wim Huibregtse, Saskia Nijhof and Kiara Lasch, to learn more about their work and the way in which the Delta Climate Center facilitates their collaborative approach.

Saskia Nijhof: Zeeland’s transforming food system

Saskia Nijhof’s PhD research in the Delta Protein project focuses on the potential of creating a local ‘blue-green’ protein sector – from marine sources like shellfish and seaweed as well as crops like beans and quinoa - in Zeeland, one that harmonizes economic opportunity with sustainability and food security. Her work examines how consumers and entrepreneurs can actively shape and support the transition to a sustainable food sector.

Saskia’s research is rooted in the practical challenges faced by the region. For example, she highlights a common obstacle: “There is low consumer acceptance of marine sources for food, such as mussels and seaweed. Through awareness creation, local value chain development, and innovation, we aim to address these barriers.”

Saskia works closely with Food Delta Zeeland, local entrepreneurs, farmers, students and consumers to develop initiatives that can transform Zeeland’s food system. “One example is the Plant-Based Seafood initiative, which supports the development of sustainable, plant-based alternatives to meat and fish with ingredients like beans, mycoprotein and seaweed,” she shares. “The results of my research will support the development of a broader food vision for the future, where the Zeeland delta serves as a model for sustainable food production while offering realistic earning opportunities for local entrepreneurs.”

Wim Huibregtse: Catalyzing Zeeland’s green hydrogen economy

Wim Huibregtse’s research explores how Zeeland can develop a sustainable hydrogen economy in a way that balances innovation, governance, and environmental impact. Wim explains: “The Flemish-Dutch Scheldt Delta region is the largest industrial hydrogen cluster in the Benelux, and has great potential to play a key role in the future hydrogen system.”  This makes Zeeland an ideal testing ground for hydrogen innovation.

Companies are already taking advantage of the opportunities in Zeeland, with both well-established corporations and new startups looking to start large-scale sustainable hydrogen production. These actors operate within the constraints of the governance system, influencing the direction and sustainability of the market, Wim explains. “Understanding the dynamic between enterprise and governance is a key part of my research. I aim to develop a more precise understanding of how new economic paths, like a hydrogen economy, emerge within the realities of governance.”

Wim values the collaborative nature of the DCC. “The DCC is very useful for exchanging knowledge with experts and fellow PhD candidates. It serves as an extra home base for asking for help and disseminating insights,” he shares. “Together, we can make Zeeland an example for sustainable deltas all over the world.”

Kiara Lasch: Twinning and contrasting global deltas

Kiara Lasch’s PhD research focuses on how deltas around the world, including the Southwest Delta region in the Netherlands, can adapt to increasing flood risks caused by rising sea levels. She is particularly interested in identifying which adaptation strategies are both physically possible and effective in different regions. “While many factors—such as politics, economics, and culture—play a role in determining how a delta can adapt, the physical landscape ultimately sets the boundaries for what is feasible,” Kiara explains. “Despite its importance, a global assessment of physically viable adaptation strategies under future climate conditions is still missing. My research aims to fill that gap.”

By analyzing deltas worldwide, Kiara hopes to create a framework that allows regions to learn from each other. Some deltas may share similarities—what she calls "twinning"—and can apply similar strategies, while others may face contrasting conditions that require different approaches. As part of her work, Kiara will use the southwestern delta of the Netherlands as a case study, given its long history of managing flood risks. “Together with the DCC and Deltares, we will compare the southwestern delta of the Netherlands with other deltas around the world,” she says. “This will help us understand which adaptation strategies are most effective and what their limitations are, ultimately supporting better decision-making for the future.”

A Vision of Collaboration and Innovation

The Delta Climate Center is emerging as a vital hub for addressing the challenges of sustainability and climate resilience in the Zeeland delta. By fostering collaboration between researchers, educators, businesses, and policymakers, the DCC is driving practical solutions tailored to the region's unique characteristics and needs. As Hugo de Boer puts it, “The DCC is a catalyst for research and innovation in the fields of water, energy, and food in Zeeland, and by extension for delta systems worldwide.”