magazine

DUTCHAM MAGAZINE
How a small country can inspire Brazil
Interview with Freek van Eijk, Managing Director Acceleratio (Netherlands)
A new global reality toward
a more sustainable
economy shaping up isn’t
that wishful thinking?
I think the world recently made
some big statements. Last
year the UN endorsed the
Sustainable Development
Goals. Later that year, in
December 2015 during the UN
Climate Conference in Paris
not only 190 countries
(including Brazil) but also 400
companies, 120 investment
companies and 150 cities
made significant pledges for
example to only use
renewable energy or to be
carbon positive. This is not
just a future scenario; this is
becoming the new reality.
Paul Polman, the CEO of
Unilever, even called it the
biggest business opportunity
of the century.
future?
Why is it time for Brazil to
innovate itself to a new
First of all, not only Brazil but the whole world simply can no longer continue to grow with the
present way of consumption, with a non-sustainable resource demand. Don’t get me wrong, I
love Brazil, but looking at Brazil one sees a country that is sub-optimizing its potential amongst
other by exporting its agricultural and mineral resources without adding value. The population
and economic growth of the last decade have also led to a rapid urbanization. Brazil has roughly
15 cities with over a 1 Million inhabitants that all face some urban challenges, issues related to
unemployment & safety, to food & water security, not enough access to affordable housing,
electricity, water and sanitation for all. Furthermore, pollution and traffic congestion lead to health
issues. Some States suffer from severe droughts or inversely from storm floods and need to build
in more resilience. Brazil has a lot to win from a transition towards a circular economy.
Can you tell me what this Circular Economy is all about?
The Circular Economy has been adopted as an economic vision for the future of Europe as a
whole, a vision that aims at green growth where economic growth, job creation and sustainability
go hand in hand.
I could explain the Circular Economy very abstract: It is a system change that maximizes the
reuse of products and materials and minimalizes value destruction. If I were to explain it in a
8