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Ronald Vernes,
Programme manager project local authoritiesCall
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Information provision to local governments
We see an increasing need for information and knowledge about the subsurface amongst municipalities, provinces, water authorities, and environmental services. That is why we work together with various regions on issues about subsurface energy, mining, groundwater, and the link between the surface and subsurface. We also provide support in setting up a knowledge network and act as a sounding board for subsurface research.
Knowledge helps local governments make choices
In recent years, issues related to the energy transition and mining topics have been partly transferred from the Dutch central government to local governments. As a result, local governments need more information about the subsurface. For example, there are an increasing number of questions when drafting mining policies or advising on mining permits. Questions about geothermal energy and the storage of heat or hydrogen also play a role in the design of the Regional Energy Strategy (RES) and Transition Vision for Heat (Transitievisie Warmte).
New form of information provision
The Geological Survey of the Netherlands (GDN) is working on a new form of information provision that offers more demand-driven data and knowledge. We are doing so by:
- Developing customised information products based on the public data GDN has in-house. Policy officers can use those during discussions on subsurface issues.
- Transferring knowledge (demand-driven) to support priority topics in the region.
- Starting and expanding an administrative and civil service knowledge network.
In this, we always cooperate with local governments as much as possible and ensure that products align with the social demands of the region. Therefore, the first step in this cooperation is to discover the key questions of the local or regional issue. GDN helps to formulate these questions. Once the questions are clear, we make an inventory of the necessary knowledge and data and make it available. Usually, a great deal of knowledge and information is already available, so that new research is not necessary.
Customised information sources
Together with a municipality or province, we generate customised information packages that respond to their questions on topics such as housing, the energy transition, the Environmental and Planning Act of the Netherlands, water, and the climate.
Examples of this are:
- Guidance for the municipality of Almere in the initial phases of setting up a database in which all data related to surface subsidence can be included.
- Bringing together and visualising data up to a depth of 300 metres for the municipality of Emmen. This visualisation provided insight into the possibility of injecting horticultural greenhouse water into the shallow and deep subsurface.
Demand-driven knowledge transfer
Municipalities or provinces often seek accessible knowledge to answer questions from citizens and officials. To this end, we organise (in-depth) knowledge sessions together with a region and participate in information meetings for citizens.
Knowledge network of local governments
Municipalities and provinces indicate that they benefit from a knowledge network to share knowledge and information with each other. That is why GDN is helping to build a knowledge network.
Do you have any questions related to the subsurface in your region? Feel free to contact Ronald Vernes via the blue ‘mail directly’ button below.