The objective of this project is to determine how legal knowledge and scholars could be better integrated in the assessments of climate scenarios and pathways. Three layers of ‘law’ will be explored: 1. the ontological aspect: the rule of law and its key factors (e.g. principles, norms and institutions) relevant for the assessments of climate change impacts and solutions; 2. the epistemic aspect: how to properly integrate legal knowledge into this field; and 3. the procedural aspect: how legal scholars can better engage with the research community. 

The objective will be achieved by interviews, workshops, a case study of the IPCC’s 6th assessment report (AR6) WG III and the Synthesis Report, and reflections on the applicants’ real experiences of climate scenarios research as legal scholars and climate modellers. We ask four research questions: 1. To what extent is it necessary to integrate a legal aspect and where is the boundary of integrating legal knowledge into the interdisciplinary research into climate change assessments? 2. What are the key legal factors that should be taken into account as elements of climate change assessments?  3. Given the distinct features of legal research methods (non-quantitative), to what extent can the results be integrated and in which way? 4. What is a true inclusion of legal scholars into such research? (The emerging issue of ‘branding’ for the sake of funding). 

Delta areas, as unique ecosystems, are among the most densely populated areas in the world. Deltas are under increasing human and natural pressure. Future global change, with intensifying human activity, increasing weather extremes, changing river flow regimes and accelerated sea-level rise, will put deltas and their societies at increasing risk.

We therefore need deltas that are resilient to natural hazards, make sustainable use of natural resources, have healthy environmental conditions, and are able to cope with future climate change and sea-level rise. It is now the moment for science and society to find sustainable pathways into such future. This requires addressing the wide variety of processes - physical, chemical, biological, institutional and socio-economic – that interact in deltas in an integrated approach.

In the hub Water, Climate and Future Deltas researchers from varying disciplines at Utrecht University cooperate with external partners to design and evaluate pathways to sustainable delta development. The hub will provide policy makers and delta managers with the essential scientific basis for informed decision-making on pathways towards sustainable deltas.

https://www.uu.nl/en/research/sustainability/research/water-climate-future-deltas

• prof. dr. Martin Wassen
• prof. dr. Esther Stouthamer
• prof. mr. dr. Frank Groothuijse
• prof. mr. Marleen van Rijswick
• dr. ir. M.M. (Mariet) Hefting
• prof. dr. Detlef van Vuuren
• prof. dr. Roderik van de Wal
• prof. dr. Hans Middelkoop
• dr. Murray Scown

• Dr. Marjolijn Haasnoot - Deltares
• Dr. Gilles Erkens - Deltares
• Drs. Henk van Hardeveld - HDSR

I functioned a legal expert in the transdisciplinary project, coordinated with partners from drone industry in the NL, and communicated with polarization panels from Dutch municipalities, NGOs and academic institutions.