Adaptive Delta Governance - Learning from Dynamic Deltas

In deltas humans interact constantly and intensively in rapidly growing numbers with their ecological environment
against a backdrop of increasing climate change impacts. The fundamental question is how do governance
systems, as a nexus of science, policy and society, cope with uncertainties and complexity in the socio-ecological
system in different deltas? This nexus implies a need to design more sustainable and equitable policies based on
solid scientific ground to respond to the needs of societies and people.

This policy brief reflects on key lessons learned and the way forward in three deltas: the Rhine-Meuse in the
Netherlands, the Mekong in Vietnam, and the Sacramento–San Joaquin River in the United States. It provides
recommendations for improving delta governance targeted at practitioners, policymakers, and researchers working
on climate change, environmental policy, politics, and governance. The recommendations focus on dealing with
the uncertainties of the impacts of climate change, on closing the innovation gap between science, policy and
society, and on facilitating effective stakeholder participation, learning and integration.