The Northern Netherlands take an integral approach to climate adaptation. We regard the physical environment, health and behaviour as intersecting factors reinforcing one another. Healthy Ageing (a healthy life) has been a priority in the Northern Netherlands for many years now. Since 2009, knowledge institutions, northern governmental agencies and businesses have been collaborating in the Healthy Ageing Network Northern Netherlands (HANNN) to increase the length of a healthy lifespan. For example, in Groningen this has been translated into an integrated vision on citizenship, nature, food, construction, movement and relaxation, in which local heat stress is an explicit focal point.
The multidisciplinary approach to Healthy Ageing in Groningen and the Northern Netherlands resulted in the Northern Netherlands gaining the status of European model region for Active and Healthy Ageing in 2013 and 2016, due in particular to the close collaboration in the Northern Netherlands between governmental agencies, knowledge institutions, the business community, end users and other partners.