Dutch humanitarian start-up Sheltersuit upcycles sleeping bags to help refugees and the homeless cope with harsh weather conditions. The firm was part of a group of six Dutch innovative companies that represented the Netherlands at the SXSW festival in the US.

The world consumes 350 million tons of plastic every year. Much of it ends up on landfills or gets incinerated. Europeans alone generate 25 million tons of plastic waste, of which only 30% is reused or recycled. Dutch company PlasticRoad wants to help to reduce this waste by building bicycle paths made from recycled plastic.

Aviation accounts for two percent of CO2 emissions. This may seem relatively low, but air travel emits 90 percent more CO2 than travelling the same distance by rail. Rail or road can be an alternative for short-haul flights over land, but what about intercontinental and long-distance destinations. So far, research to make flying more sustainable has concentrated on replacing fossil fuel with electric or hydrogen engines. However, a new design – the Flying-V − may change the shape of sustainable flying.

Planet Earth is made up of water for 70 percent, which is why it is called the Blue Planet. Most of the world's water (96 percent) is in the oceans. It is an important source for food, resources, energy, transportation, leisure and living space. The Netherlands seeks to become a partner in developing healthy and productive oceans as part of the solution to global challenges. In the face of population growth and resource scarcity, oceans could contribute to food security, renewable energy and economic development.

Global demand for food is set to outpace the available food production capacity, while destroying the climate goals. It is important to provide enough food and upgrade the capacity, while keeping an eye on sustainability. Dutch company De Krekerij thinks that using insects as a sustainable meat substitute can contribute to food security and while creating a circular planet together.