Thanks to a boost from the National Growth Fund, industrial estates in the Netherlands will be transformed in the coming years into green, climate-proof, and energy-efficient places where employees can enjoy working in a healthy environment.

26 million euros

Based on the advice of the National Growth Fund, the Council of Ministers recently decided to allocate €26 million to the Working Landscapes of the Future program. NextGreen is one of approximately 30 parties involved in this program.

Co-creation processes

NextGreen facilitates various partnerships with governments, companies, and financial institutions for biodiversity and climate adaptation and their multiple revenue models. Through the Adaptation Allience and Business Case Sessions on Climate Adaptation Financing projects, as well as previous activities, we have gained knowledge and experience in facilitating co-creation processes in business parks and co-creation between governments that want to green the built environment through public-private partnerships.

Innovative financing

Developing green-blue revenue models with private parties and governments usually results in innovative financing structures. We help municipalities accelerate the development and application of appropriate policy and financial instruments. This includes setting up and facilitating a national or regional community of practice. We also involve and support financial institutions (insurers, insurance advisors, banks, and investors) in developing public-private partnerships and financing.

Green transformation

In the Working Landscapes of the Future program, unattractive, barren industrial estates are being transformed into work locations where employees enjoy coming and want to work. Currently, only 1 percent of the 100,000 hectares of industrial estates in our country consist of 'natural elements'. As a result, 87 percent of the 3,500 industrial estates are susceptible to flooding during heavy rainfall.

Attractive business climate

It is also expected that, if nothing changes, in 30 years' time the average perceived temperature on a summer's day at an industrial estate could rise to 40.8 degrees Celsius in 2050. Greening will eliminate these problems. Greening and sustainability will also lead to an attractive business climate and rising property values at industrial estates.