Klimaterike

Klimaterike is a term used in Dutch-language climate policy discourse to refer to the integration of climate change considerations into public policy, planning, and governance. It denotes how climate risks and opportunities are identified, assessed, and addressed across sectors and scales, from local to national. In practice, klimaterike emphasizes that climate considerations should not be marginal but embedded in decision-making processes, budgets, and regulatory frameworks.

The term is a composite neologism in Dutch, combining klimaat with a suffix used to form abstract domains. Its precise meaning varies by discipline, with policymakers focusing on governance and planning, while scholars emphasize risk assessment, vulnerability, and resilience. Because of this variability, few formal definitions exist, and usage can differ between institutions and studies.

Implementations of klimaterike commonly involve integrated risk assessment, scenario planning, and impact analyses that link climate data to policy actions. Practices include climate-proof budgeting, infrastructure planning that accounts for future temperatures and extremes, and the incorporation of climate risks in financial and investment decision-making. The concept also aligns with adaptation and mitigation efforts, encouraging cross-sector coordination, data sharing, and long-term thinking to reduce vulnerability while seizing opportunities in a low-carbon transition.

Critics note that the term can be vague and inconsistent, potentially conflating distinct ideas such as adaptation, resilience, and climate finance. Proponents argue that a shared umbrella term helps coordinate governance and measurement. As a relatively new term, klimaterike continues to evolve in policy debates and academic discussions.