It was an exciting presentation. According to the judges the quality of the papers was extremely high. Chairman of the judges Professor Julian Hunt said, ‘I’m really impressed by the unexpected, innovative solutions that have been submitted. The diversity and practical feasibility in the plans of the ‘young potentials’ is praiseworthy. The team paper is a good example of a multi-disciplinary, solution-focused concept that shows both mitigation as well as adaptation to climate change. What was unusual was the new approach of using vegetation for chemical cleaning and the application of the concept in different situations, suitable for and within a local community. The paper by Fang Yenn Teo not only showed the importance of mangroves as natural protection against tropical storms and tsunamis, but also substantiated this with detailed calculations and a description of the effects of mangroves on wave power and the possible level of damage from these waves.’

Jan Bout, CEO of Royal Haskoning is impressed by the innovative ideas of the students. ‘The Delta Competition is our way of setting our sights on the future. The impact of climate change differs immensely from country to country, but practical solutions are usable everywhere. We must move quickly and proactively to get developments going. With Royal Haskoning’s international orientation and reputation and our worldwide network we can make many connections and foster the sharing of knowledge. Workable plans demand more than technical solutions; they also need financial feasibility, social acceptance and governance. The world needs new, innovative ideas,’ concludes Jan Bout. ‘We want to encourage students to think outside the traditional boundaries and, where necessary, challenge the established order. The Delta Competition promotes inspiration and discussion. We are delighted with the standard of the entries, which were assessed for originality and scientific basis by an international panel of expert judges. There is a great variety and I’ve seen some interesting ideas that combine safety and sustainability in new ways. And that’s what it’s all about.’