Laatste nieuws in green
Dutch Venture Capital Undergoes Major Shift Toward Deep Tech and Green Innovation in 2026
Amsterdam, Tuesday, 20 January 2026.
The Netherlands emerges as Europe’s sustainability tech hub as venture capital firms pivot dramatically from traditional investments to deep tech and green innovation. With €150 million funds launching specifically for water technology and 35% of the ecosystem now focused on quantum computing, AI, and biotech, Dutch VCs are capitalizing on favorable 2.25% ECB rates and robust government backing through Invest-NL to position the country at the forefront of climate solutions and advanced technology development.
Dutch University Ditches iPhones for Sustainable Fairphones in Cost-Cutting Move
Nijmegen, Monday, 19 January 2026.
Radboud University becomes the first major institution to standardize on Fairphones, citing both environmental and financial benefits. Starting February 1, 2026, all employees will receive modular, repairable smartphones instead of traditional Samsung or iPhone devices. The decision reflects a growing trend among European organizations prioritizing sustainable technology procurement over premium brands.
Netherlands Expands Hydrogen Infrastructure with 300 New Vehicles and Refueling Stations
Netherlands, Sunday, 18 January 2026.
The Dutch government has approved subsidies supporting over 300 hydrogen-powered vehicles and four new refueling stations as part of its climate transition strategy. This expansion builds on previous success, with earlier programs already delivering seven new hydrogen stations, seven station expansions, and more than 700 hydrogen vehicles since 2024. The initiative represents a significant scaling effort in clean transportation infrastructure, positioning the Netherlands to meet European requirements for 42% renewable hydrogen use in industry by 2030.
Netherlands Transforms Coastline Through Revolutionary River Engineering Over Past Decade
Netherlands, Sunday, 18 January 2026.
The Netherlands has quietly revolutionized coastal management by diverting entire rivers and strategically depositing sand to reclaim vast territories from the sea. This decade-long transformation represents a fundamental shift from traditional concrete barriers to working with natural forces, creating new land while enhancing coastal protection against rising sea levels.
Netherlands Eyes Revolutionary Nitrogen Dividend to Fund Climate Goals and Economic Growth
The Hague, Saturday, 17 January 2026.
The Dutch government is exploring a groundbreaking nitrogen dividend policy that could transform environmental costs into revenue streams. De Nederlandsche Bank suggests addressing nitrogen bottlenecks could boost economic growth by 0.4% annually, potentially generating an additional €40 billion for government coffers. This innovative approach represents a fundamental shift from viewing nitrogen reduction as purely regulatory burden to a strategic economic opportunity, offering the formation parties D66, VVD, and CDA a potential solution to budget constraints while advancing climate objectives.
Scientists Use Dead Seabirds to Track Ocean Plastic for Four Decades
Wageningen, Saturday, 17 January 2026.
Wageningen researchers have been examining storm petrel stomachs since 1980, revealing that 58% of these seabirds now exceed safe plastic levels. This groundbreaking monitoring system uses the birds as living pollution detectors, providing crucial data on North Sea contamination. While plastic levels have decreased over 20 years, current trends suggest the EU safety threshold won’t be met until 2087, highlighting the persistent challenge of marine plastic pollution.
Dutch Businesses Can Now Access Government Subsidies for AI Energy Solutions
The Hague, Friday, 16 January 2026.
Netherlands companies implementing artificial intelligence for energy optimization can tap into multiple government funding streams worth €350 million. At Intratuin Heerhugowaard, AI-powered energy management delivered a remarkable 61% reduction in energy costs while maintaining grid capacity during peak Christmas operations. The convergence of energy-saving obligations and AI innovation creates unprecedented opportunities for businesses to combine compliance with profitability through programs like EIA, ISDE, and DEI+ subsidies.
Europe Faces Critical Land Use Decisions as Agricultural Space Shrinks by 8 Million Hectares
Wageningen, Saturday, 17 January 2026.
Without new sustainability policies, the European Union could lose over 8 million hectares of agricultural land by 2050 due to urbanization and farm closures, according to comprehensive Wageningen University research commissioned by the European Commission. The study reveals stark regional differences in land pressure, with Northwest Europe facing intense competition between housing, infrastructure, and food production, while Mediterranean regions struggle with irrigation demands and tourism expansion. This research provides policymakers with detailed scenarios ranging from business-as-usual to Green Deal ambitions, analyzing impacts on emissions, water quality, soil health, and food security across all 27 EU member states.