This week’s ten biggest climate innovation stories — 11 January
Which country will be home to the first vertical forest for low-income housing? Why is voluntary climate risk disclosure going mainstream? And, how can we lower maritime emissions?
This, and more, in the week’s ten biggest climate innovation stories.
1.
The world’s first vertical forest for low-income housing is coming to the Netherlands
Stefano Boeri has designed and built vertical forests across the globe, but his latest project, slated for Eindhoven in The Netherlands, will be unlike anything that has been done before. That’s because, for the first time ever, the forest tower has been funded by a social housing project, and the tower will provide low-income housing. The Trudo Vertical Forest looks to be an example of how good architecture can tackle both climate change and urban housing issues.
how innovative #architecture can tackle both #climatechange and #urban #housing issues. #trudoverticalforest on @inhabitat – @StefanoBoeri @StSintTrudo https://t.co/cVea7A0wc2
— Stefano Boeri Architetti (@boeriarchitetti) January 10, 2018
2.
Why voluntary climate risk disclosure is going mainstream
As of 12 December, an estimated 237 companies from 29 countries—with a combined market capitalization of more than €5.3 trillion—publicly had committed to supporting the G20’s Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures’ (TCFD) recommendations. Reporting through TCFD recommendations allows companies to measure the risks and business opportunities related to climate change, protect themselves against potential physical impacts and identify sustainable investment opportunities.
Why voluntary #climate risk disclosure is going mainstream, by @khalamayzer from @GreenBiz https://t.co/AjE3oSV9pG #datadisclosure #nonfinancial pic.twitter.com/jC3BLzjTOw
— SustainIt (@sustainIt) January 10, 2018
3.
EU heading for ‘zero palm oil’ in transport by 2021
Lawmakers are considering a complete phase out of palm oil in transport fuels by 2021—a proposal which has garnered support from the biggest political groups in the European Parliament ahead of a key vote next week.
EU heading for ‘zero palm oil’ in transport by 2021 https://t.co/oGoPqawVoe pic.twitter.com/MtfNWTjOHG
— Euractiv Energy & Environment (@eaGreenEU) January 10, 2018
4.
London store recycles 60,000 plastic bottles for 3D-printed interior
You can tell that Bottletop, a “sustainable luxury” brand that transforms castoff materials into chic carryalls, takes its zero-waste philosophy to heart. Case in point? Its new flagship store on London’s Regent Street, which boasts a 3D-printed interior derived almost entirely from recycled plastic bottles. Together with Krause Architects and Ai Build, Bottletop conscripted a troop of Kuka robots to print sections of the boutique using a filament made from plastic waste gathered from the streets Delhi in India.
London store recycles 60,000 plastic bottles for 3D-printed interior:https://t.co/Zw9PD1fsqy#London #3Dprinting #plastic #recycle pic.twitter.com/fzqlOICFUc
— Inhabitat (@inhabitat) January 5, 2018
5.
How batteries could charge up the fight against climate change
To keep global warming below 1.5 degrees, 100 million electric vehicles should be added to our roads globally by 2030, stated the 2015 Paris Agreement. In order for batteries to help rather than hinder our climate goals, the following five barriers must be addressed.
How batteries could charge up the fight against climate change https://t.co/c0piOtbz6s pic.twitter.com/qFGEY1eJNv
— CleanAcres (@CleanAcresCTC) January 8, 2018
6.
The latest cutting-edge technology changing our landscapes? Trees
The UK has been slow to embrace agroforestry, fearing trees compete for valuable space and water. In fact they can increase crop diversity as well as profits, as two pioneering Cambridgeshire farmers have found.
The latest cutting edge technology changing our landscapes? Trees https://t.co/tcALoVzKhP
— Guardian Environment (@guardianeco) January 6, 2018
7.
C.F. Møller’s Storkeengen tackles climate challenges in a Danish town
C.F. Møller Landscape has recently designed a multipurpose nature park that offers recreation, beauty, and strengthened protection against storm floods. Located in the Danish town of Randers, Storkeengen aims to “resolve the city’s current and future climate challenges.”
https://twitter.com/alseccoUK/status/950744342821572608
8.
A ‘Paris Agreement for shipping’ could lower maritime emissions
This year, the world’s first fully electric and autonomous container ship could set sail, voyages that will take tourists to the Titanic will launch, and a team of scientists will visit the collapsed Larsen C ice shelf in Antarctica to explore a marine ecosystem that has been hidden for 120 years. Here, experts talk about three maritime issues worthy of particular attention in 2018.
Ocean’s ‘18: a Paris Agreement for the ocean could be coming up in 2018 https://t.co/gKOBJY7bBr #oceans @oceansdeeply
— GreenBiz (@GreenBiz) January 5, 2018
9.
Converted double-decker bus becomes rolling restaurant and bar
The Bus Business converted a Routemaster into “a chic cocktail bar downstairs with an elegant dining area upstairs.” One that, interestingly, “has a roof that rises up at the touch of a button,” making it perfect for romantic dates and high-end restaurant pop-ups.
Converted Double-Decker Bus Becomes Rolling Restaurant & Bar https://t.co/CuWhYk61yK pic.twitter.com/4PhD8dMcrW
— CleanTechnica (@cleantechnica) January 9, 2018
10.
Solar-powered school will teach children how to grow and cook their own food
C.F. Møller has unveiled new renderings for the New Islands Brygge School. Located in the heart of Copenhagen, the 9,819-square-meter school will teach children how to harvest and cook the food grown in the rooftop garden. In addition to a landscaped roof, the building will feature rooftop solar panels and an array of energy-saving technologies.
Solar-powered school will teach children how to grow and cook their own food https://t.co/raIHceLkbP pic.twitter.com/sRrPbYA5KW
— Inhabitat (@inhabitat) January 9, 2018