The Rotterdam Climate Proof Program faces challenges in coordinating complex, large-scale infrastructure projects, which require collaboration between local government, businesses, and citizens. Securing continuous funding for long-term initiatives and balancing short-term economic interests with climate resilience goals is another hurdle. Additionally, the city's geographical challenges, including managing flood risks and sea-level rise, require constant innovation and adaptation to new climate data. Public engagement and ensuring all stakeholders buy into the program’s vision also remain crucial for its success.

Outcomes

The results of RCP can be categorized according to the three pillars identified above. RCP received a 5.2 million dollar subsidy for climate adaptation research through the knowledge development pillar, and Rotterdam University established a water management curriculum--the first of any Dutch university. Additionally, Rotterdam coordinated the C40 "Delta Cities For Knowledge Exchange" and explored the topic of climate-proofing publicly through multiple lectures, research papers, and films. Second, through Rotterdam's collaborative actions, over 20,000 m2 of green roofing was developed, and the city created its first water plaza. The city constructed a water storage facility to store over 10,000 m3 of rainwater below a parking garage. Also, it developed and opened the Eendragtspolder rowing course (this rowing course is multi-functional, acting as a water storage facility (4 million m3), recreation area, and sports facility all at once) (C40 Cities, 2010; Gementee Rotterdam, n.d.; The "Climate-Proofing" Of Rotterdam, 2016). RCP and subsequent adaptation and resilience strategies have been built off of each other. For example, elements from Rotterdam WaterPlan 2 (which worked with water to create a climate-proof city through rainwater harvesting, delaying drainage, and increasing permeable surface area and water squares) were implemented in the RCP (Anthonysz, n.d.). Finally, through showcasing itself as an innovative city, Rotterdam became an acclaimed SMART delta city, received investment from IBM, and became the designated National Water Center in 2012 (C40 Cities, 2010).

Studies of Rotterdam showcase how water management and climate are promising economic growth sectors for the city. Additionally, the city holds national and international recognition in climate adaptation and resilience strategies (C40 Cities, 2010). The RCP program created the knowledge base for the greater Rotterdam Adaptation Strategy (2013)(Jacobs, 2013). RAS created the following action items for the city: citizen protection, minimal disruption during climactic events, port safety, widespread education, creating an attractive city, and strengthening the economy. RAS then approached all of these objectives through the lens of optimizing their current system, increasing adaptive measures, working across sectors, linking projects together, and taking advantage of the opportunity to build a more resilient city (RCI, 2013). Rotterdam utilized each of its climate and resilience strategies as a platform to build from. Each study or policy creates a cumulative base to ensure lessons learned are consistently applied.