Sustainia names top-100 eco-innovations
Annual sustainability study published on Thursday after reviewing more than 1,500 global projects and businesses
Sustainia100, the annual sustainability study, was published on Thursday and has named the top-100 eco-innovations of 2015 after reviewing more than 1,500 global projects and businesses.
By identifying 100 readily available innovations for cities, corporations and consumers, the study highlights the potential for bottom-up solutions in the build up to the crucial COP21 climate change negotiations in Paris from November 30 to December 11.
Sustainia’s partners on the study include the United Nations Global Compact, Connect4 Climate, Regions20, WWF, DNV GL, Realdania, Storebrand and International Federation for Housing and Planning.
The study is available at http://www.sustainia.me and over the past four years has identified more than 3,200 sustainability solutions.
The innovations are screened and selected by sustainability experts from 18 international research organisations including Yale University, the World Resources Institute and the Acumen Fund.
The Sustainia Award Committee includes Arnold Schwarzenegger (pictured), former Governor of California, Christiana Figueres, Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, Connie Hedegaard, former European Commissioner for Climate Action, Gro Harlem Bruntland, former Prime Minister of Norway, and Rajendra Pachauri, former chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
The results indicate a paradigm shift in eco-innovation with more than 50 per cent of this year’s selected innovations competing on cost-effectiveness, new reuse, recycling and take-back models.
Laura Storm, CEO of think tank Sustainia, said: “It is the year for eco-consumers. In the new Sustainia100 study, it is remarkable to see how creative developments in particularly the circular economy are resulting in products and services highly competitive with non-sustainable alternatives. This empowers sustainability opportunities like never before.”
Arnold Schwarzenegger, former Governor of California and Honorary Chair of Sustainia, said: “This year’s Sustainia100 are fantastic, because they show how practical and affordable sustainable alternatives are for everyone. As a matter of fact, anyone can be a champion for a healthy lifestyle and more livable communities, while demonstrating that none of us should wait for our governments to solve big challenges. Thank you Sustainia100 for showing us that the time for action is now!”
The increasing competitiveness among this year’s innovations is evident in circular economy innovation and new business models for underserved markets.
Ms Storm added: “First of all, a growing private sector interest in circular business models is a vital explanation for the rise in competitive sustainability innovations. An increase in commodity prices over the last 15 years has erased the real price declines of the 20th century, giving businesses and consumers a good reason to break free of the linear model of resource use.”
One in five of the innovations that have been named on the 2015 list are circular economy models, with firms exploring economic incentives attached to circular consumption.
Innovations include food waste turned into biofuel; reused air-con filters; and 100 per cent recycled workwear.
The focus is increasingly turning to underserved markets in developing nations which is helping to create effective sustainable business models.
23 of the 100 innovations are making profit or providing affordable solutions directly addressing the need for reliable energy, sanitation and waste management.
The study can be downloaded free of charge at http://www.Sustainia.me/solutions
