This week’s ten biggest climate innovation stories — 23 November

Posts 23 Nov 2017

What kind of biofuel will soon fill up London’s double-deckers? How can we help reduce electronics waste? And, what might Germany’s ecological modernisation look like?

This, and more, in the week’s ten biggest climate innovation stories.

1.

This prefab Escape Pod rotates to catch the sun’s rays

UK-based firm Podmakers designed and crafted the Escape Pod, a cedar shingle-clad prefabricated unit. The spherical unit takes inspiration from nature, from its round organic shape to the extensive use of timber inside and out. Designed to meet local UK planning laws, the pod is elevated half a meter off the ground and can be rotated to optimise natural light.

Read more on Inhabitat.

2.

Finnish packaging design company Sulapac wins circular economy startup award

Two Finnish women have come up with a compelling solution that will help cosmetics buyers to reduce their contribution to the plastics problem—a 100% biodegradable cosmetic packaging. Their startup Sulapac was recognised for its efforts with the Green Alley Award 2017, a European startup prize focused on the circular economy.

Read more on Clean Technica.

3.

RECs help small companies enter the renewables market

Renewable energy certificates (RECs) are becoming an increasingly popular way for companies of a variety of sizes to reduce their carbon footprints. RECs also help companies support the production of renewable energy and meet or exceed their corporate-sustainability goals.

Read more on Green Biz.

https://twitter.com/zesty_earth/status/933001358973730816

4.

London buses swap out diesel for a coffee-based biofuel

UK startup bio-bean, Shell, and Argent Energy have teamed up to fill London’s double-deckers with an innovative new java-based fuel. Bio-bean has already brewed up 6,000 litres of the high-octane joe, an amount able to power one city bus for an entire year.

Read more on Inhabitat.

5.

Reduce, reuse, reboot: why electronic recycling must up its game

With global e-waste projected to hit 50m tonnes next year, consumers need to put pressure on technology firms to make their products more repairable.

Read more on The Guardian.

6.

The rustic exterior of this abandoned barn hides a surprising space to get away from it all

This neglected old barn in Norway will soon host visitors from all around the world, thanks to a recent makeover helmed by architecture studio OPA Form. The renovation project is part of firm’s strategy called “the barns they are a-changing”, which relates to the efforts in repurposing derelict buildings scattered across the Norwegian west coast.

Read more on Inhabitat.

7.

International Solar Alliance to offer guarantee for solar projects

The International Solar Alliance is planning to launch a pilot program to promote the implementation of solar power projects across the world. It plans to provide financial guarantees to project developers in order to promote investments.

Read more on Clean Technica.

8.

This restaurant in London has a gorgeous living wall that purifies air and absorbs noise

Nando’s Putney Kitchen restaurant in London has a daylit greenhouse at its heart with a beautiful living wall made of terracotta cells. Architecture studio Fusion DNA designed this verdant structure which has several functions—it absorbs the noise produced by the customers, as well as volatile organic pollutants in order to improve indoor air quality.

Read more on Inhabitat.

9.

An agenda for Germany’s ecological modernisation

No matter which parties will eventually form a coalition, Germany’s next government will continue with an agenda of ecological modernisation, writes Arne Jungjohann. Based on exploratory coalition talks, he explains how such an agenda could look like.

Read more on Euractiv.

10.

World’s first circular-economy business park mimics nature to achieve sustainability

The Triango sustainable business park in Paris, designed by RAU Architects, SeARCH, and karres + brands, embraces the idea of a circular economy using inspiration from nature. The idea behind the proposal is to create facilities that can behave dynamically throughout their period of use and to use materials that can be used over and over again in the future.

Read more on Inhabitat.

https://twitter.com/inhabitat/status/932705676635226112

 
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