Klimaatslimme

Klimaatslimme is a Dutch term used to describe products, systems and practices designed to address climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing energy efficiency, and strengthening resilience to climate impacts. The concept covers multiple sectors, including the built environment, energy, mobility, agriculture, water management and urban planning. It is not a fixed certification but a broadly used label in policy, business and media to signal climate-conscious performance.

Its central idea is an integrated approach that combines mitigation and adaptation, considering whole-life costs and co-benefits such as improved air quality, health, and economic resilience.

Examples are climate-smart homes and buildings (adequate insulation, heat pumps, solar panels), climate-smart farming (soil health, reduced fertilizer use, precision agriculture), climate-smart mobility (electric or low-emission vehicles, efficient public transport), and climate-resilient urban design (green infrastructure, water retention).

Implementation is often part of national and municipal climate programs, with subsidies and standards to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy. Measurements rely on indicators like energy use intensity, CO2-emission reductions, and resilience metrics; there is no universally unified standard for what qualifies as klimaatslim.

Critics warn that the term can be used loosely or as greenwashing if not backed by transparent data and credible targets. Effective deployment usually requires credible data, independent verification, financing, and capacity-building to realize long-term climate benefits.