Public and private leaders from Brazil, the Netherlands, and the UK unite for accelerated climate action aboard Brazil’s first hydrogen vessel
Belém, Brazil, 13th November – As Brazil hosts COP30, the country’s green innovation took the spotlight during the NBCC Frontrunners’ Dinner held aboard the JAQ Hydrogen Vessel, a pioneering example of Brazilian low-emission technology. The event brought together public and private leaders from Brazil, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom to strengthen international collaboration on climate transition and sustainable development.
Organized by the Netherlands British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) in partnership with the Embassy and Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Brazil, is a true example of Global Mutirão - a collective effort uniting public and private sector leaders to share knowledge, align priorities for COP30, and tackle global challenges together.
Photo 1: Julia Cruz receives the Joint Declaration on Climate Action “Message in a Dopper” from Ricardo Mussa
The event convened high-level representatives Julia Cortez da Cunha Cruz, Brazilian Secretary of Green Economy, Decarbonization, and Bioindustry; H.R.H. Prince Jaime de Bourbon de Parme, Climate Envoy of the Netherlands; Paul Polman, business leader and UN SDG co-architect; Ricardo Mussa, chair of SB COP30, alongside executives from companies such as Heineken, The Ocean Cleanup, Brokering Solidarity, Rabobank, Unilever, ING, Signify, Fugro, Arcadis, National Grid, AkzoNobel, and many others. Discussions centered on Brazil’s COP30 priorities - from decarbonization and the bioeconomy to protecting the Amazon and promoting green jobs - and the actions we all can take to accelerate climate action.
The discussion was enriched by diverse perspectives. Starting with Climate Envoy Jaime de Bourbon de Parme, who underlined that “EU and the Netherlands are stable partners in a dynamic world. We need to stand shoulder to shoulder work on the green economy.”
Photo 2: Notable participants, including Julia Cruz and Jaime de Bourbon de Parme, engaging in collaborative table discussions
“If you want to be a real frontrunner for the climate, think about including local people and communities in the supply chain. Those communities who are most affected by climate change, will generate value for their communities and for the world”, said Julia Cortez da Cunha Cruz, Brazilian Secretary of Green Economy, Decarbonization and Bioindustry, emphasizing the role of Brazil’s private sector in advancing COP30’s agenda.
Paul Polman, business leader, investor, philanthropist, noted that: “This is the moment for business to move from promises to performance, from pledges to proof. Courageous leaders are asking a simple question: are we profiting from solving the world’s problems, or from creating them? The answer will define which companies earn trust in the decade ahead.”
Photo 3: Keynote speech by Paul Polman on the role of business and the leadership needed for climate action
The discussions led to a joint declaration, reflecting shared commitments aligned with Brazil’s national priorities and the COP30 Action Agenda. From accelerating implementation in energy, agriculture, and finance to strengthening cooperation between Brazil and the Netherlands through together creating an enabling environment, focussing on long term and large scale.
The dinner formed part of the global campaign “Solving Global Challenges Together” and was held in partnership with Unilever, Clifford Chance and the JAQ Hydrogen Vessel.
The NBCC Frontrunners’ Dinner continues a series first launched at COP26 in Glasgow, designed to catalyze collaboration between governments, businesses, and innovators. By showcasing Brazil’s leadership in hydrogen technology and sustainability, this year’s edition in Belém reinforces the country’s growing role as a global climate frontrunner.
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Note to Editors
The COP30 edition of the NBCC Frontrunners’ Dinner focused on how Brazil’s leadership and innovation can drive global progress on climate action. The dinner brought together high-level representatives from government, business, and international organizations, including:
Notable participants:
- Julia Cruz, Secretary of Green Economy, Decarbonization, and Bioindustry, Brazil
- H.R.H. Prince Jaime de Bourbon de Parme, Climate Envoy of the Netherlands
- Paul Polman, Business leader, investor, philanthropist, and UN SDG co-architect
- Meike van Ginneken, Water Envoy of the Netherlands
- Ricardo Mussa, Chair SB COP30
- Roderick Wols, Deputy Ambassador of the Netherlands in Brazil
- Anne-Sophie Castelnau, Global Head of Sustainability, ING
- Aafke Keijzer, Chief Sustainability Officer, Rabobank
- Anthony Agotha, Special Envoy for Climate and Environment Diplomacy, European External Actions Service
Participating companies and organizations: AkzoNobel, ANTEA, Arcadis, Clifford Chance, DLA Piper, EY, Fugro, Heineken, ING, Rabobank, Satelligence, Signify, The Green Branch, The Ocean Cleanup, Unilever, and Van Oord, WWF Brazil, among others.
Media contact:
About the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Brazil
The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Brazil is committed to supporting urgent and coordinated climate action as Brazil prepares to host COP30. Guided by shared values and mutual interests, the Embassy focuses on solving global challenges together, via promoting human rights, renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, green logistics, biodiversity preservation, water management, and innovation. By fostering partnerships across sectors and actors, the Embassy aims to support both public and private actors in justly and inclusively advancing to a low-carbon, climate-resilient economy, turning climate challenges into (trade) opportunities for a sustainable and equitable tomorrow.
About the Netherlands British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC)
The NBCC is a bilateral non-profit membership organisation dedicated to promoting and supporting businesses aiming to help our members grow in NL and UK. With offices in London and The Hague, the NBCC provides the first point of entry for those doing business in the Netherlands and in the United Kingdom.
The NBCC represents the majority of businesses of all shaped and sizes. Membership of the NBCC provides companies with an extensive range of benefits in the areas of building Connections needed to do business, providing Insights to capture opportunities, Representation, acting as a voice of British-Dutch business for real changes to the policies that matter most to business, and supplying Support to improve existing business performance.
Contact
For any questions regarding the event or your participation, please reach out to:
Lyne Biewinga, CEO, The Netherlands British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC)
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Phone: +31 6 46178825
Eva Langeler, Senior Economic Policy Advisor for COP30, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Brazil
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Phone: +55 (11) 93361-9538