Evaluation National Climate Platform

The National Climate Platform (NKP) was established by the former government at the end of 2022 for a period of four years. The aim was to increase societal involvement in climate policy. The platform focuses on stimulating dialogue about the climate transition and identifying opportunities and obstacles experienced by citizens and businesses. The NKP also provides advice, requested or unsolicited, to the Minister of Climate and Green Growth. Research firm Dialogic was asked by the Minister to evaluate how the NKP fulfils its mandate and positions itself within the broader climate governance context. ### What was the reason for the evaluation? The National Climate Platform (NKP) was founded for four years in 2022. The founding mandate stipulated that a brief external evaluation should take place after two years. The Ministry of Climate and Green Growth asked research firm Dialogic to examine how the NKP executes its mandate and the added value of the platform within the broader climate governance. ### How does the NKP fulfil its mandate? The NKP has two core tasks: 1. Stimulating societal dialogue about the transition; 2. Identifying and advising the Minister of Climate and Green Growth on developments, obstacles, and potential solutions, both when asked and unsolicited. By engaging with diverse societal groups, the NKP captures signals from society and highlights bottom-up initiatives. The platform also pays attention to groups feeling less engaged with the transition. Additionally, in the early years, a third function emerged: a strong networking role. The NKP has brought parties together (like in the Social Alliance and the Heat Alliance) to discuss obstacles and propose concrete solutions. The Heat Alliance led to the Heat Offer, aimed at breaking the stagnation around heat networks and restoring consumer confidence. The Social Alliance, established after the government's fall in 2023, has continuously emphasised to politicians the importance of continuity in climate policy. ### What activities does the NKP undertake? The NKP organises and supports various activities contributing to its core tasks, including: - Field visits and events; - Discussions with specific target groups (citizens, businesses); - Information provision (dashboards); - Support in policy development; - Communication through social media, webinars, and podcasts; - Reporting of findings; - The 'Top from Below' conference (national and regional); - Networking and coalition building. ### What position does the NKP take and what is its added value? Based on our findings, we conclude that the NKP adds value to the broader climate governance. The platform explicitly focuses on societal groups and themes, giving it a distinctive character compared to organisations more focused on policy monitoring (such as the Environmental Assessment Agency), scientific policy support (like the Scientific Climate Council), and initiatives involving citizen participation in policy development (such as the National Citizen Climate Council). The NKP facilitates dialogue in an accessible way about barriers, dilemmas, and opportunities, translating widely held insights from the field into signals and advice for politics and government. With direct lines to involved ministers and ministries, it can put current topics on the agenda and provide courses of action. At the same time, the platform remains independent in its choices of what to signal and advise. The liaison role from the Ministry of Climate and Green Growth helps ensure that signals and advice reach the relevant departments effectively. ### What could the NKP improve? In our advice, we suggested that the NKP be more selective in highlighting signals and advice. Less is more. This could simplify the process for ministers and ministries to respond to or appreciate all signals and advice. It would also ensure that all signals and advice are original, avoiding repeating existing insights. However, we acknowledge that reiterating persistent obstacles may sometimes be necessary to create urgency and (re)place the topic on the political agenda. It is up to the NKP to make this assessment. In our view, the liaisons from the Ministry of Climate and Green Growth are well-positioned to guide the governance, ministerial, and political processes - to ensure that signals and advice reach the relevant parties effectively. ### What was the overarching conclusion? Dialogic advises the government and the Ministry of Climate and Green Growth to continue the NKP and to decide promptly on its continuity. An early decision is required to allocate resources and retain the small team (around 10 FTEs at the time of the evaluation). The platform's effective functioning, strong positioning in the field, and established added value justify its continuation in our opinion. The government has already decided to extend the platform's mandate by one year (see the [Climate and Energy Note 2025](https://open.overheid.nl/documenten/6744a7e2-bc2a-47b0-833e-8e4c5dd3d793/file) for the full response).