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Future Protein NL: join us in solving global challenges together

Food production has a substantial impact on climate change, our ecosystem and biodiversity. In order to feed a growing world population, we need to think beyond animal-based meat, dairy, fish and eggs. We need to shift from a diet consisting mainly of animal-based products to alternative, plant-based proteins. As a large exporter of agricultural products, the Netherlands has an important role to play in switching to food systems for the future.In the Netherlands, over 250 companies are working on what’s known as a protein shift. The Dutch Protein Shift ecosystem counts over 55 collaborative initiatives, representing a complex network of organisations from the public and private sectors as well as NGOs. Guided by our Dutch National Protein Strategy, together we work towards restoring the balance between animal and alternative proteins.We believe animal and alternative proteins are complementary. Dutch meat and dairy giants are working together with a great number of small innovative food startups, adding alternative protein products to their assortment. Together we use our existing infrastructure, knowledge, human capital and global network to create future protein solutions.

Training Uganda’s farmers of the future

Uganda’s population is young, but a high unemployment rate means many young people struggle to build a life for themselves. At the same time, Uganda’s agriculture sector is desperate for practically trained young agripreneurs and labourers. With the average age of farmers around 60, Uganda’s farmers of the future are in high demand. Supported by the government of the Netherlands, NGO AVSI trains young Ugandans to become successful agripreneurs and agricultural employees.

Developing profitable business models for carbon farming

Trees and plants are the earth’s green lungs. They take CO2 from the air and release oxygen in return. The European Carbon Farming project aims to take advantage of this natural process by experimenting with carbon sequestration techniques in agricultural areas. By storing CO2 in the soil, farmers not only improve their own soil, they also help to mitigate climate change – a service other companies are willing to pay for. The Carbon Farming pilot projects connect farmers to partners seeking solutions for their climate goals. By sharing the cost of investment, everybody wins.

Join us to solve urban challenges together

As cities worldwide attract more and more people, public space is coming increasingly under pressure. Climate change and rapid urbanisation are intensifying the problems faced by people living in urban areas. Such a global problem requires a global cooperation. That’s why the Netherlands invites national and international experts active in solving urban challenges to join the Closer Cities platform, where they can share ideas and success stories. This way, cities worldwide can learn from each other and replicate what works.

Mangrove restoration: an effective strategy against climate change

Mangroves are under serious threat of deforestation. They are highly effective carbon sinks, responsible for 40% of greenhouse gas (GHG) absorption in the soil. When mangroves are cut down, they accelerate climate change as they release ancient carbon ─ captured for centuries in the soil and vegetation ─ back into the atmosphere. Together with our international partners, the Netherlands is helping to restore and protect mangroves from further depletion. Thus mitigating the effects of climate change which cause flooding, extreme weather events and sea-level rise.

How a circular approach to wastewater can help us achieve the SDGs

Polluted water and air, overfished oceans, depleted fuel supplies and exhausted soil. With more and more people using our natural resources, the planet is reaching its limits. We need to be at our most creative to make the best of the resources available for the sake of life as we know it. Pioneers of the Dutch circular movement have teamed up with their counterparts in Singapore and Brazil to create a new source of supply from wastewater.

13 Dutch solutions win CES Innovation Awards ahead of world’s largest tech fair

At the beginning of 2021, CES went fully digital for the first time ever. In January 2022, the world’s biggest Consumer Electronics Show will welcome 170,000 companies from 160 countries back to Las Vegas live. Seventy innovative Dutch companies, 50 startups and 20 scaleups, presented themselves today at CES Unveiled in Amsterdam. A record-breaking number of Dutch companies won CES Innovation Awards for excellent design, with 13 of the 34 entrants receiving an award. In previous years, only one or two Dutch entries fell in the prizes.