Netherlands and Brazil pledge to expand cooperation on renewable energy

The Netherlands and Brazil announced plans to strengthen cooperation on renewable energy and the energy transition during the climate summit in Belém, signing a joint declaration of intent covering multiple sectors.

The agreement focuses on hydrogen, offshore wind energy, biofuels, carbon capture, and the production of more sustainable fuels for aviation and shipping. While not legally binding, the declaration outlines a wide-ranging collaboration.

A joint working group, formed by the Dutch Ministry of Climate and Green Growth and Brazil’s Ministry of Mines and Energy, will develop an action plan to translate the agreement into concrete initiatives. The ministries aim to involve businesses and research institutions. The document notes that this “could lead to possible joint projects for which funding is sought from international financial institutions.”

The Netherlands has pursued similar partnerships with other countries, mainly focused on hydrogen. Dutch officials hope to become a leading European player in hydrogen, which, if produced with renewable electricity, can replace natural gas in industry without producing CO2.

Previous Dutch agreements include partnerships with Portugal, Morocco, Canada, the United Arab Emirates, and Uruguay.

In 2021, then-State Secretary for Economic Affairs and Climate Dilan Yeşilgöz signed a first hydrogen cooperation agreement with Namibia at the Glasgow climate summit. A year later, former Prime Minister Mark Rutte signed similar agreements with Oman at the Sharm-el-Sheikh climate summit.