Climate and Energy
The Netherlands and Sweden work together to make a swift transition to clean energy and reach common climate goals. Our trade and innovation advisors inform stakeholders from both countries about the latest policies and technological developments.
The European Green Deal sets the objective – an economy with net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. We believe ambitious climate targets can lead to economic growth, with opportunities for innovation, new businesses and the creation of new jobs.
The embassy’s trade and innovation advisors actively monitor climate and energy policies. We stay on top of technological developments that can help our countries meet global climate challenges. Connecting government, industry and research organizations in the Netherlands and Sweden, we explore possibilities for joint partnerships.
Clean Energy
A vital part in reaching our common climate goals is the transition to clean energy. In Sweden, almost 55% of the electricity mix in the grid already comes from renewable sources such as hydropower, wind and biomass. In the Netherlands, over one hundred stakeholders in society were involved in drafting the 2019 Climate Agreement. Implementation would result in at least 70% of electricity generated by renewables (mainly wind and solar) by 2030.
Both the Netherlands and Sweden are on the forefront of European initiatives to kick-start a hydrogen revolution and replace fossil fuels. The Netherlands is home to Europe’s first ‘hydrogen valley’ and offers unique solutions to large-scale transport of hydrogen. Sweden will soon be home to a major steel factory powered by the world’s largest green hydrogen plant.
Common climate goals
The climate crisis is one of the greatest global challenges of our time. With the Paris Agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), we agreed to leave no one behind, keep global warming in check and ensure countries can build climate resilience. This is why the climate agenda is a priority for the Dutch government.
Science has made clear the world needs to set significantly higher ambitions to keep global warming within safe limits. The choices we make in the coming years will resonate for decades.
- Our embassy facilitated high-level participation by Dutch government officials in the UN Stockholm+50 meeting in June 2022.
- Another key event for us was the Stockholm World Water Week, where challenges such as food security, access to clean water, biodiversity and the climate crisis were addressed.
Circular Economy
The world’s natural resources are finite and the world’s population is growing. We need to shift from a linear economy with a "take, make and dispose" model, to a Circular Economy (CE) in which we reuse raw materials and reduce waste. This also lessens our dependency on international supply chains. The Dutch government is working with industry, decentralized authorities and civil society to ensure that by 2050 the Dutch economy will run entirely on reusable materials.
The transition to a circular economy covers many sectors and the Netherlands have published agendas on Biomass and Food, Plastics, Manufacturing, Construction and Consumer goods. Click here to see all the agenda’s, now available in English as well.
International cooperation and inspiration is key for a faster transition. The Netherlands is seen as a frontrunner in the Nordics and the embassy facilitates contacts between various stakeholders. One way of strengthening the connection with the circular economy community was partnering up with Nordic Circular Hotspot.
One example of recent activities, is when the Dutch embassy network in the Nordics joined forces and organized a discussion on Circular Public Procurement where experts from the Netherlands and the Nordics discussed if we are being ambitious enough.
The transition to a more circular society provides business opportunities for Dutch companies who provide new solutions and business models. The embassy-team connects interested companies with suitable partners and/or platforms for increased presence on the market.