Carbon opportunities for North Holland
For the province of North Holland, New Economy explored whether carbon sequestration can strengthen the economy, nature and climate. The exploration shows that carbon sequestration can grow into an organising principle for the North Holland economy: proven, affordable natural sequestration linked to challenges such as nitrogen, circular economy, water quality and biodiversity. Part of the national carbon sequestration market exploration.
About this market exploration
Prepared for: the Province of North Holland in collaboration with the provinces of Gelderland, Utrecht and South Holland.
The question: explore the potential economic and ecological opportunities of carbon sequestration and map how governments and organisations can build an effective strategy.
Most notable result: nationally, carbon sequestration represents roughly €31 billion in societal value, while offering solutions within the complex spatial puzzle for several critical policy challenges at once.
Concrete next steps: translate the identified opportunities into an effective strategy, starting with building knowledge of carbon sequestration within governments and organisations.
Priorities for the province of North Holland
For North Holland it matters to develop a sequestration strategy alongside the North Holland Climate Approach (its emission reduction strategy) in order to meet climate goals. That means prioritising proven, affordable and immediately applicable forms of natural carbon sequestration, and carefully examining which technological (grey) sequestration is genuinely relevant. An integrated approach is essential, linking carbon sequestration to other urgent provincial challenges such as nitrogen, circular economy, water quality and biodiversity. Finally, collaboration between public and private parties is crucial to make the most of the potential.
Active methods in North Holland
Several methods are already active in North Holland: planting and reforestation, soil carbon sequestration, bioenergy with carbon capture, biochar, blue carbon management, wetland restoration and biobased construction materials. Methods such as enhanced mineral weathering, ocean fertilisation, ocean alkalinity enhancement and direct air or ocean capture still require further policy attention and development.
The approach: ten IPCC methods
Internationally, alongside emission reduction, there is growing attention for Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR). This market exploration, started in November 2024 and updated through April 2025, is based on the ten scientifically grounded carbon removal methods distinguished by the IPCC, translated to the Dutch and North Holland context for entrepreneurs, financiers, governments and landowners.
Attractive returns. Green carbon sequestration is estimated to return 7 to 30 times the investment, with methods already applicable today.
Carbon sequestration in short
Carbon sequestration removes CO₂ from the atmosphere and stores it long-term in soil, biomass, nature, water and long-lived materials, from soil and biomass to biobased materials and blue carbon.
Opportunities for farmers, businesses and industry. Proven revenue models with low investment — via alternative markets, risk-spreading and certificate trading — contribute to more resilient sectors.
The Carbon Sequestration House
The Carbon Sequestration House for North Holland links sequestration methods to challenges, policy and provincial opportunities through three matrices, making visible where the greatest gain lies for North Holland. Natural methods are linked to most societal challenges; technological methods to a few.
Links per method. Natural sequestration is linked to 22–23 of the 26 societal objectives from the National Strategy on Spatial Planning and the Environment; technological methods to 3–6.
Tools and downloads
- Market Exploration North Holland (PDF) 60+ practical examples · roughly 14 MB. Download the main report
- Carbon Sequestration House North Holland (PDF) Three matrices: methods, policy, opportunities. Download the assessment framework
- Alignment: National Roadmap and Market Exploration (PDF) Central government versus New Economy · roughly 1 MB. Download the comparison
- Policy brief (PDF) Eight concrete steps · roughly 0.8 MB. Download the policy brief
- Carbon Opportunity Map (PDF) Supports strategy development. Download the map
Insights from this project
Frequently asked questions
New Economy explored for the province of North Holland whether carbon sequestration can strengthen the economy, nature and climate. The exploration shows it can even grow into an organising principle for the North Holland economy.
Among others: planting and reforestation, soil carbon sequestration, bioenergy with carbon capture, biochar, blue carbon management, wetland restoration and biobased construction materials.
Alongside the North Holland Climate Approach for emission reduction, developing a sequestration strategy, starting with proven, affordable and immediately applicable natural carbon sequestration, linked to challenges such as nitrogen, circular economy, water quality and biodiversity.
The Market Exploration North Holland, the Carbon Sequestration House North Holland and the Carbon Opportunity Map, which help the province determine a carbon sequestration strategy.
Further reading
Explore the carbon opportunities for North Holland
From a national exploration to a concrete opportunity map for the province, a municipality or supply chain. Questions about this exploration can go to contact@neweconomy.eco.
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