P4G 2024 Pioneering global green growth solutions
Partnering for Green Growth (P4G) is an initiative that drives urgent climate action by fostering public-private partnerships. As a global platform, P4G unites governments, businesses, and civil society to create innovative, scalable solutions for today’s most critical environmental challenges. By accelerating clean growth across the sectors climate-smart agriculture, food loss and waste, water resilience, zero emission mobility, and renewable energy, P4G promotes green and inclusive growth in low- and middle-income countries.
They help early-stage businesses become investment-ready and supporting climate transitions. Through grants, technical assistance, and system improvements, P4G strengthens partnerships, fosters sustainable development, and shares best practices globally.
Operating across 9 countries, P4G works with leaders from partner countries, along with global organizations. The collaborative partnership includes the Netherlands, along with eight other partner countries: Colombia, Denmark, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Kenya, the Republic of Korea, South Africa and Vietnam.
This year already four (with more to come) new Dutch initiatives are supported by P4G: Forestwise in Indonesia, ZhanaSolutions and DeepSea Developments in Colombia, and Adagin in South Africa. These projects exemplified how partnerships can deliver tangible environmental and social benefits, from forest preservation and circular economy innovations to advancing electric mobility and sustainable agricultural practices.
Forestwise (Indonesia)
Forestwise, an innovative socio-environmental enterprise in Indonesia, produces valuable rainforest products and creates rainforest value to increase economic growth in the area and preserving the wild forest. The company preserves rainforests for future generations by following their mission to ‘Stop Deforestation’ and create ‘Rainforest Value’ while empowering local communities. The more products they sell, the more communities they empower, the more rainforest they protect. Established in 2018 by Dirk-Jan Oudshoorn and Theo Smits, Forestwise operates a factory in Sintang, employing 20 local Indonesian staff.
The best part of this project is the partnership with over 1,000 local farmers, which has increased their average income by 16%, benefiting 2,000 families. The company has already preserved 36,000 hectares of rainforest and aims to protect 100,000 hectares within the next two years. Their long-term vision is to expand their product offerings to include arenga sugar, kukui nut oil, illipe butter, and rubber, thus creating a replicable model for sustainable agricultural businesses across Asia. Forestwise’s innovative approach not only helps reduce deforestation but also supports local economies, making it a vital player in climate-smart agriculture.
ZhanaSolutions (Colombia)
ZhanaSolutions, a Colombian enterprise, is revolutionizing the way the gastronomic industry deals with greasy waste by partnering with Fondo Acción to launch a transformative circular economy project in tourist cities. The magic of this project lies in its ability to convert greasy discharges from restaurants into valuable inputs for advanced biofuel production, utilizing state-of-the-art cleantech that also effectively decontaminates water. With this innovative approach, ZhanaSolutions can recover an impressive 99% of brown grease in optimal conditions - a significant improvement over the current recovery rate of just 30% in the industry, where much waste remains unusable.
The ZhanaSolutions initiative not only showcases the remarkable fusion of technology, environmental impact measurement, and circular economy principles but also aligns the interests of regulators and businesses around sustainable practices. Consequently, numerous cities in Colombia are inspired to adopt the ZhanaSolutions model, enhancing their sustainable tourism offerings while conserving millions of gallons of water and generating a new source of alternative energy.
DeepSea Developments (Colombia)
DeepSea Developments is addressing one of Colombia's most pressing challenges - developing infrastructure to support the growing electric vehicle (EV) market. Through their MubOn platform, DeepSea Developments is making it easier for EV owners in cities like Bogotá, Medellín, and Cali to charge their vehicles using shared chargers in community spaces. Currently, a lack of charging infrastructure has hindered the adoption of EVs, but MubOn offers a scalable solution that promotes the use of electric vehicles and fosters a collaborative economy.
By providing solutions for charging, monitoring, and energy payments, MubOn is helping reduce CO2 emissions and encouraging more sustainable transportation. The platform is designed to make EV charging accessible and convenient, which could play a crucial role in accelerating Colombia’s transition to green mobility. DeepSea Developments' work is essential for building sustainable cities and contributing to the global shift towards zero-emission mobility.
Adagin (South Africa)
Adagin, a South African company, turns farm problem into an African tech company through its partnership with the Dutch National Platform. By collaborating with Dutch institutions like Wageningen University and Fruittech Campus, Adagin aims to exchange knowledge and drive agricultural advancements in South Africa and beyond. The company is focused on leveraging Dutch expertise in agriculture to benefit its home markets, with a particular emphasis on technology-driven farming and fruit cultivation.
Founded by FG Adriaanse, Adagin has rapidly evolved into a leader in precision harvesting, packing, and job costing. Together with co-founder JD Naudé, they combine their passions for farming and engineering to develop progressive agricultural technologies that serve over 100 clients across Africa. Their innovative solutions, including scanners, satellite technology, and smartphone apps, empower farmers to optimize their harvesting outputs and manage workforce costs effectively. Adagin’s efforts are crucial for addressing the challenges of sustainable agriculture in the face of climate change. By fostering international collaborations and sharing cutting-edge knowledge, Adagin is helping to improve productivity while reducing the environmental footprint of agriculture in South Africa.