Policy integration, coherence and governance in Dutch climate policy : a multi-level analysis of mitigation and adoption policy

Abstract

This report assesses the integration of climate policy in Dutch public policy at the national, regional, local and area level. The national analysis focuses on the horizontal integration of climate policy in national government programmes, adaptation and mitigation strategies and specific policy instruments. Special attention is being paid on the vertical integration in the water policy sector. The regional analysis focuses on the province of South-Holland and the local analysis focuses on the municipality of Rotterdam. As a complementary approach, a case study is performed in the Zuidplaspolder. This case study reveals the practical implications of climate policy integration for policy implementation in a specific area. The report also suggests means to enhance climate policy integration and to improve policy coherence and it gives suggestions on methods to study policy integration, coherence and governance.