Dutch water authority pioneers carbon credit purchase from hemp and flax farmers
Waterschap Vallei en Veluwe is taking a groundbreaking step by purchasing 500 carbon credits from hemp and flax crops, reducing CO₂ emissions while boosting soil health and biodiversity. This initiative supports local farmers and aligns with the goal of becoming climate-neutral by 2035.
| Key Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Water Authority | Waterschap Vallei en Veluwe |
| Tender Platform | TenderNed |
| Carbon Credits Purchased | 500 |
| Suppliers | VOB Holland/GreenDutch B.V. (hemp), C. Pronk (flax) |
| Crops Involved | Hemp, flax |
| Project Goals | CO₂ storage, soil/water quality improvement, biodiversity, biobased construction |
| Climate-Neutral Target | 2035 |
| Collaborators | Flott purchasing, Building Balance |
| Region | Vallei en Veluwe (Gelderland/Utrecht) |
Waterschap Vallei en Veluwe is a regional water authority responsible for managing water quality, flood protection, and sustainable water use in the Vallei and Veluwe areas. This initiative reflects its broader mandate to integrate climate resilience into water and land management policies.
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Innovative step with successful tender for carbon credits
Waterschap Vallei en Veluwe opened a unique tender on December 1, 2025, via TenderNed for the purchase of 500 carbon credits from fiber crops. Two entrepreneurs – VOB Holland/GreenDutch B.V. (hemp) and C. Pronk (flax) – will supply these credits. With this project, the water authority is promoting CO₂ storage and strengthening soil and water quality. This is a significant step toward its ambition to be climate-neutral by 2035.
Innovative and future-oriented
Waterschap Vallei en Veluwe is not only focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions as much as possible but is also deliberately choosing a method that goes beyond traditional CO₂ compensation. By investing in fiber crops that permanently sequester CO₂ and contribute to healthy soil, the water authority is working toward a climate-resilient landscape. The cultivation of hemp and flax improves soil structure, promotes biodiversity, and contributes to cleaner water.
This is the first time the water authority has compensated for unavoidable CO₂ emissions in this way.
This approach aligns with multiple objectives:
- Long-term CO₂ storage in crops and biobased materials.
- Improving soil quality and biodiversity, which is essential in the face of more extreme weather conditions.
- Encouraging biobased construction so that the sequestered CO₂ is stored long-term.
- Supporting farmers who wish to switch to crops that suit a robust and future-proof landscape.
An initiative with broad impact
The water authority aims to compensate for its unavoidable CO₂ emissions in a way that delivers more than just climate benefits. The tender was managed by Flott purchasing and interim management. This project was developed in collaboration with Building Balance and represents an important step toward a region where water, soil, agriculture, and biobased construction reinforce each other.