Factsheet NWO Earth and Life Sciences
Research programme
Netherlands Polar Programme
What is the Netherlands Polar Programme?
The Netherlands Polar Programme (NPP) finances Dutch
scientific research in and into the polar areas. The assessment of
funding proposals and the realisation and the coordination of
the NPP has been allocated to the Netherlands Organisation for
Scientific Research.
History
The history of the NPP lies in the Antarctic Treaty, which the
Netherlands signed in 1990. A scientific research programme
is mandatory for the Member States. In addition, such a
programme strengthens the Dutch position in the Arctic Council.
Participants of the Netherlands Scientific Expedition Edgeøya Spitsbergen (SEES)
2015. Photo: Ben Bekooy
Since 1984 the Netherlands has had a research programme
aimed at polar research, initially just for Antarctica, but since
Objectives
2000 for the Arctic region as well. The current NPP has a budget
for both polar areas. In addition to the NPP there was a special
The NPP encourages high-quality scientific research in and
research programme during the International Polar Year (IPY),
into the polar regions. The knowledge that the science yields
2007–2008 with an additional budget of 7 million euros . The
provides insights into the developments that are rapidly taking
funding originated from various government ministries and
place in the polar regions and the possible consequences for
NWO. To mark the IPY the then Crown Prince and Princess of the
the Netherlands and the rest of the world. Ultimately this
Netherlands and the Minister for Education, Culture and Science
knowledge can also contribute to solving problems and utilising
visited Dutch researchers in Antarctica in 2009.
opportunities that arise as a result of these changes. In addition,
the science provides the necessary background information for a
Importance
well-motivated government policy concerning the polar regions.
The polar regions are very sensitive to climate change; they form
Themes
as it were the heartbeat of the climate system. Additionally,
researchers can make good observations of changes in the
The NPP research takes place within four themes:
polar regions because they are the most pristine areas on earth.
1. Ice, climate and rising sea level
Climate change in the polar regions has major physical, eco-
Observations of the current polar climate, observations of
logical, social and economic consequences that reach far beyond
(the consequences of) changes in the dynamics of ice caps
these regions. Large global circulation systems (atmosphere and
and glaciers and the modelling of these, including their
ocean currents) connect developments in the polar regions with
impact on global and regional sea levels, are the primary
the Netherlands. Having a good understanding of the changes
we face is important for the Netherlands. For example, as a low-
categories for research within this theme.
2. Polar ecosystem
lying country the Netherlands is vulnerable to sea level rises. The
Terrestrial and marine polar ecosystems are subject to
Netherlands also has economic interests in the opportunities
rapid climate changes and to increasingly large impacts
that will arise due to changes in the polar regions: for example,
from human activities. There is a great need for knowledge
new shipping routes as a consequence of disappearing sea ice in
about the resilience and capacity of these systems, including
the Arctic Ocean, exploration into the natural resources present
any tipping points and possible warning signals prior to
in the polar regions (such as oil and gas) and opportunities for
reaching these tipping points. Scientific underpinning of
fishing and tourism. These new activities raise questions about
these issues is essential for the conservation, management
the management of the polar regions and the tenability of
and sustainable use of polar ecosystems.
existing treaties as well as the need for new treaties.
3. Sustainable exploitation
Due to the current and predicted decrease in sea ice in
polar regions, in combination with the increasing global
demand for natural resources, interest in mining activities
and fisheries is increasing in the polar regions. New
transportation routes and new opportunities for polar
tourism are also opening up. This theme concerns not only
the impact of human activity and its limitation, but also
concerns finding an answer to the question of whether
The Dirck Gerritsz Laboratory, Adelaide Island, Antarctica.
and how safe, sustainable maritime operations can be
conducted in the polar regions.
4. Social, legal and economic landscape
Alignment with Dutch government policy is another priority of
the NPP. The NPP is highly committed to creating public support
What are the consequences of changes to the polar regions
for polar research via the media and it encourages television
for the existing governance structures, for the exploitation
broadcasts on polar research. An expedition to Spitsbergen in
of natural resources and for local communities? Research
2015 brought together Dutch polar researchers from various
into these questions can provide insight into the
disciplines and attracted a lot of media attention.
resilience of societies in the Arctic area. The increasing
human activities in the polar regions will require further
Organisation and contact
international consultation, governance and regulation.
The Netherlands Polar Committee (NPC) is made up of polar
Duration and funding
researchers and is chaired by former state secretary Monique de
Vries. The NPC has various tasks such as issuing specific scientific
The duration of the NPP is 2016–2020. The annual budget is
advice to NWO, representing and lobbying for Dutch polar
4.1 million euros, which is funded by NWO Earth and Life
research in national and international committees
Sciences and the following government ministries: Education,
and organisations, and the organisation of an annual NPP
Culture and Science; Infrastructure and the Environment;
symposium.
Foreign Affairs; Economic Affairs.
The government ministries that fund the NPP are represented in
the Interdepartmental Polar Consultation, which discusses the
Progress and forward plans
financial and policy aspects of the NPP.
International collaboration is a distinctive aspect of the NPP.
The contact person for the Netherlands Polar Programme is
At the start of 2013 the Dirck Gerritsz Laboratory was opened
Liesbeth Noor, +31 70 349 45 71, [email protected].
at the British Rothera Research Station. Thanks to the colla-
Further information about this research programme can be
boration between NWO and the British Antarctic Survey (BAS)
found at www.nwo.nl/npp.
this first Dutch laboratory in Antarctica was realised. It consists
of four mobile laboratories, built into sea containers and con-
July 2016
nected by a docking station that provides electricity, water and
shelter.
With this set-up, the Netherlands is making use of the
existing, expensive research infrastructure of a polar station.
Additionally, the NPP has a longstanding collaboration with
the German Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI). Plans exists
for updating the Dutch polar station on Spitsbergen, in
collaboration with AWI and the French polar Institute IPEV. The
international appreciation for Dutch efforts in polar research
became apparent in 2014 when the secretariat of the European
Polar Board was awarded to the Netherlands.
A call for proposals for fundamental polar research will be
launched in 2016. In 2017 a call dedicated to the Economic
Priority Area ‘Water’ will be launched, in which collaboration
between researchers and industry is required. Another call for
proposals is planned in 2017 for policy related project proposals.
Taking samples
around Spitsbergen