Van der Hoeven launches Circular City Greenhouses

In the transition towards circular food systems and a more sustainable world, Van der Hoeven Horticultural Projects launches Circular City Greenhouses. Sustainable fruit and vegetable production in high-tech greenhouses that operate on urban and upgraded waste streams.

High-tech greenhouses growing high-quality crops whilst reducing waste

Within all Circular City Greenhouses, the four key resources needed for Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA), water, energy, nutrients and CO2 are all sourced from waste or (agro-) industrial byproducts. Circular City Greenhouses is the essential link that can help regions go from linear to circular economies, while addressing the rising demand for sustainably grown food in a rapidly urbanizing world.

With the United Nations Climate Conference (COP28) in Dubai in full swing it is clearer than ever that we need to speed up our transition to a more food secure and climate-neutral world. Food systems are heavily affected by a changing climate due to draughts, floods and increasingly extreme weather patterns. At the same time, continuing the current way of food production is a big contributor to climate change, not only in terms of greenhouse gas emission but also when it comes to the depletion of water sources, soil degradation, deforestation and loss of biodiversity.

Circularity in Greenhouses

Van der Hoeven is at the forefront of circularity within greenhouses. Recirculating water and air have led to large reductions in the consumption of water, energy, CO2 and nutrients. The controlled environment eliminates the use of pesticides and allows for creating an optimal climate to grow year-round in any location. Contributing to food security by providing local production, even in the most difficult climates.

Cross-Sectoral Collaboration

Van der Hoeven looks beyond the greenhouse walls and puts food production into a bigger circular system. It is a concrete example of what is possible when the water, food, energy and waste sector come together. This cross-sectoral collaboration creates synergies between different industries. Circular Development Manager Jessie-Lynn van Egmond  “When it comes to creating circular economies and integrating different sectors, technology is not the limiting factor, awareness and collaboration is”. With a focus on urban waste streams,  Circular City Greenhouses by Van der Hoeven contribute to the transition of our food systems and creating a new purpose for resources that would otherwise be lost or emitted. 

Accelerating Circular Transitions at COP28

Van der Hoeven Horticultural Projects is currently present in Dubai to represent Circular City Greenhouses at COP28, speaking and participating at a variety of engagements. An international event bringing together governments, NGO's and the private sector. A strategic platform to showcase Circular City Greenhouses to a global audience, creating awareness on how we can contribute to climate action and facilitate cross sectoral collaboration toward circular food systems.

Find out more about Circular City Greenhouses on www.circularcitygreenhouses.com

About Van der Hoeven Horticultural Projects

With a mission to provide worldwide innovative solutions, Van der Hoeven has a long track record in providing technological solutions for sustainable food production around the world. From Sundrop Farms in Australia, operated on seawater and solar energy, SARA farms in Japan powered with biological waste to our current involvement in Saudi-Arabia's sustainable smart-city, NEOM. Van der Hoeven has been a full-service provider of horticultural projects all over the world since 1953.

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