Water & delta
Dry feet and drinking water for everyone, now and in 2100. It’s a tough one but with a little out-of-the-box thinking Rebel can help solve the problem.
The Netherlands has always been an exceptional country when it comes to delta technology. It has a wealth of experience, stable administrative relations and a good service industry. Other countries look to the Netherlands and want to learn from its expertise. Although it’s an excellent starting point, a number of recent developments have been creating uncertainties. Tasks are being transferred to local authorities, for example, and the role of the water authorities is changing. So who is doing what? And where is the money going to come from? There will be less taxpayers’ money, that much is clear, but the people of the Netherlands will still have to be protected from the sea. How do we guarantee that they will have dry feet a hundred years from now?
Unconventional
Rebels like to row against the current. Our view of the water sector is based on our extensive experience in other sectors and disciplines. Rebels are not just economists but administrative and legal experts as well. We know about organisational change. And we have a background in financial economics, an added advantage when it comes to the public side of project involvement. The water sector has been happy to work with Rebel on a variety of projects, both at home and abroad. In Gambia we put together a business plan for water distribution. In Vietnam we advised on the sustainable development and preservation of the Mekong Delta.
Finding partners and taking on risk
Changing times are creating a new role for the state as well. It needs to confront the market boldly and confidently. Public authorities and private companies will have to find each other and shoulder the risks together. The water sector can only benefit from such new partnerships. And this will ensure we won’t be getting our feet wet at the merest breeze.