Press
To create societal impact, academic publications need to be complimented with proactive engagement in the public domain. By reacting to relevant issues, I have been strongly advocating a Dutch residential housing climate risk label in the Dutch public domain. In addition, I periodically publish topical OpEd or provide behavioral insights on request.
A climate-risk label in the Dutch housing market.
In July 2021, a severe storm and continuous rains caused rivers and streams to swell up and flood various towns in Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.
In the aftermath, together with Alexander Carlo, I spearheaded the public debate to promote and explain why homeowners are unable to accurately predict and act in line with the climate risk. From a behavioral perspective, I advocate strongly in favor of flood-related disclosure requirements imposed by governmental agencies in assisting buyers to be better informed on the relevant risk.
Recent engagements included discussions and presentations with national policy designers, financers, and a multitude of national news interviews.
A selection can be found below.
In December 2022, the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management (I&W) announced an official inquiry into the introduction of a mandatory flood-related risk label for the housing market. Starting February 2023, I have been invited to I&W spearhead meeting in which we explore the future steps needed for a possible implementation.
Selection of other news coverage
The (gas)price of working from home forces people back to the office
November 7, 2022 - Together with Linde Kattenberg, I explain that the short-term future of working from home is less bright than initially expected. The combination of disappointing productivity and increased gas prices might force employers to reconsider their office space dumping strategy.
In a second interview, I further explain the mediocre evaluations of working-from-home, based on my research, and question the drastic office strategies when working-from-home becomes a must instead of want.
Is the ambitious Dutch residential real estate expansion realistic?
October 13, 2022 - Together with Jonas Wogh, I highlight the limitations on the electricity grid due to large consumers such as a big data centers. We argue that these centers should compensate for the negative externalities. And this should be possible: either we as consumers need the data centers close and are willing to pay, or we should reconsider the allocation of building land.