What are the 100 solutions that can make real a sustainable society? DNV GL, Scandinavian think tank Sustainia and a worldwide alliance of companies and organizations have launched a global campaign to find the answers.
The goal is to identify the world’s 100 leading sustainability projects and technologies across diverse sectors. Collectively, the solutions will form a comprehensive guide to leading sustainability practices across 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 UN climate change panel, IPCC, and supporter of the campaign.
“We know innovations are out there and rapidly improving. This campaign will gather and guide to the outstanding cases. Now, I hope that every corner of the planet will pitch in with their best ideas and solutions to Sustainia100 to make a global sustainability transformation possible,” says Bjørn K. Haugland, DNV GL Group Chief Sustainability Officer. Former governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, EU Commissioner for Climate Action Connie Hedegaard and UN Global Compact are also behind the campaign to turn spotlight on the many sustainability innovations readily available to corporations and consumers.
The Sustainia100 campaign is running until March 14th 2014, and is open to submissions on innovations worldwide, raising standards for sustainability. The submitted projects should relate to at least one of ten categories: Transportation, energy, buildings, food, fashion, IT, education, health, cities, and resources. Submissions can be made to Sustainia via: www.sustainia.me.
Intelligent Thermostats, Skyscrapers and Off-grid Solar Lights
Last year, the submissions 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, the 100 selected solutions collectively form a guide to an achievable sustainable society.
“The Sustainia100 campaign is for the people and by the people. For too many years, we have been waiting for a political breakthrough. We cannot afford to wait longer. With Sustainia100, we identify the leading available solutions that make it possible to start building a sustainable future today,” says Erik Rasmussen, founder of Sustainia.
It is the third year the Sustainia100 guide is published. The guide was launched at the Rio+20 summit, June 2012, with 100 solutions representing 45 countries. This year’s selected Sustainia100 solutions will be presented at DNV GL’s headquarters in Oslo, June 14th 2014, with innovators and campaign partners present.
Best Project Awarded by Arnold Schwarzenegger
Led by Arnold Schwarzenegger, a jury will select the most inspiring solution from the Sustainia100. The winning solution will be honored with Sustainia Award at a ceremony in Copenhagen, October 30th 2014. Joining Mr. Schwarzenegger in the jury are; former Prime Minister of Norway Gro Harlem Brundtland; Chairman of UN’s climate panel Dr. Rajendra K. Pachauri; and EU Commissioner for Climate Action Connie Hedegaard.
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Chair of Regions20 & Honorary Chair of Sustainia Award: “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.”
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WHAT IS SUSTAINIA100:
Sustainia100 is an annual guide to 100 leading sustainability solutions from around the world. The guide identifies readily available projects, initiatives and technologies at the forefront of sustainable innovation in 10 sectors. Sustainia100 gives investors, business leaders, policy makers and consumers insights to promising solutions within their respective field.
HOW TO SUBMIT A SOLUTION?
Solutions can be submitted via the Sustainia website: www.sustainia.me
WHAT SOLUTIONS IS SUSTAINIA100 LOOKING FOR?
To be selected for Sustainia100, a solution must excel on 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.
WHO IS BEHIND SUSTAINIA100?
Sustainia100 is published by Sustainia; a Scandinavian think tank working to secure deployment of sustainability solutions in communities around the world. Sustainia100 is created in close collaboration with UN Global Compact, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s initiative Regions20, International Federation for Housing and Planning and world-leading companies and organizations: WWF, DNV GL, Novo Nordisk, Microsoft, Philips Lighting, Cisco, Realdania, Brunata, Ramboll and Gehl Architects.