What are the 100 solutions that can bring about a sustainable society? Scandinavian think tank Sustainia has launched its third annual global campaign to find the answers. With a worldwide alliance of companies and organizations, the goal is to identify the world’s 100 leading sustainability projects and technologies across sectors such as food, fashion, energy, smart homes etc. Collectively, the solutions will form the 2014 Sustainia100, a comprehensive guide to state-of-the-art sustainability practices in various industries and regions.
“Sustainia100 raises awareness about the man-made effects on our environment by giving us 100 man-made solutions. With this solution-based approach, Sustainia100 delivers a clear and comprehensive call for action to a broad audience of politicians and corporations as well as civil society,“ says Dr. Rajendra K. Pachauri, chair of the IPCC and supporter of the campaign.
Former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, EU Commissioner for Climate Action Connie Hedegaard and the UN Global Compact are part of the campaign to turn spotlight on cutting-edge innovations that can lead the transition to a sustainable society. Also joining the Sustainia100 campaign are WWF, International Federation of Housing and Planning, along with companies including Philips Lighting, Novo Nordisk, Cisco, Realdania, Scandinavian Airlines SAS, UBS Investment Bank, and Gehl Architects.
From February 3 - March 14, 2014, the Sustainia100 is accepting submissions for sustainability innovations and projects worldwide. Submitted projects should relate to at least one of ten categories — buildings, food, fashion, transportation, IT, education, energy, health, smart cities and resources — and must meet the following criteria:
- Be ready and available
- Have a positive environmental impact
- Be financially viable
- Have the ability to improve quality of life
- Have scalability potential
Intelligent Thermostats, Skyscrapers and Off-Grid Solar Lights
Last year, the submitted projects included energy-efficient home thermostats, Chinese skyscrapers with build-in wind turbines and plastic bottles harvesting sunlight in the Philippines. With all innovations being readily available to industries and consumers, the selected solutions collectively form a guide to an achievable sustainable society.
The Sustainia100 guide was launched at the Rio+20 summit in June 2012, with 100 solutions representing 45 countries. This year’s selected Sustainia100 solutions will be presented in Oslo, Norway on June 14, 2014, with innovators and campaign partners present.
Led by Arnold Schwarzenegger, a jury featuring Pachauri, Hedegaard and former Prime Minister of Norway Gro Harlem Brundtland will select the most groundbreaking solution from the Sustainia100. The winner will be honored with this year’s Sustainia Award at a ceremony in Copenhagen on October 30, 2014.
“Solutions are transforming our homes, reshaping our cities, and bringing new ideas to entire communities. By sharing what is already working and pushing for new innovations, we will ensure sustainable growth and job growth at the same time,” Schwarzenegger said.
Last year’s Sustainia Award winner, Israeli company TaKaDu, presented a new generation of water-grid technology. The software solution locates and classifies leaks and pipe bursts, and alerts utilities immediately*.* Since the win in Copenhagen, TaKaDu has received broad global attention.
“Being selected as a Sustainia100 solution and winning Sustainia Award opened doors to an audience of global sustainability leaders as well as new business prospects. As a young venture, it has been a great opportunity to spread knowledge worldwide of our water-grid technology that saves water here and now,” says founder and CEO Amir Peleg.
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Published Feb 4, 2014 6pm EST / 3pm PST / 11pm GMT / 12am CET