This week’s ten biggest climate innovation stories — 29 June
In which direction is the green bond market heading? Could drones soon be fighting deforestation? And which businesses are turning bread into biogas?
This, and more, in the week’s ten biggest climate innovation stories.
1.
Dutch companies set up giant bread bins to help tackle rat scourge
Businesses in Amsterdam, The Hague and Rotterdam are getting involved in efforts to collect waste bread and turn it into biogas and fertiliser.
https://twitter.com/GuardianSustBiz/status/879623892129722369
2.
EU to invest €2.7 billion in clean transport
The European Commission proposed on June 23 to invest €2.7 billion in 152 key transport projects that support competitive, clean and connected mobility in Europe.
EU to invest €2.7 billion in clean transport https://t.co/eKtPrW4F1h via @New_Europe #EUpol pic.twitter.com/dCDYMK3LeR
— EUwatchers (@EUwatchers) June 23, 2017
3.
Drones that can plant 1 bn trees every year
Researchers from U.K.-based company BioCarbon Engineering helped build a drone system that can scan the land, identify ideal places to grow trees, and then fire germinated seeds into the soil. The new drones can plant in areas previously impossible to reach, like steep hills, researchers said.
#TechForGood: #Drones that can plant 1 bn trees every year https://t.co/nXnAdDORU4 pic.twitter.com/ooG90gL41B
— Samuel Pavin (@SamPavin) June 27, 2017
4.
Wave power has potential to meet 10 per cent of global electricity demand by 2050
Wave technology provider Marine Power Systems argue the market could deliver rapid growth, reaching 337GW of wave power capacity by 2050, creating a £76bn global market, including a £43bn European market. “With £450m already invested in the sector, the UK is well placed to become a global leader in marine renewables,” the report adds.
Interesting developments in marine energy https://t.co/hzsLcrb5fg
— James Murray (@James_BG) June 28, 2017
5.
The world’s most efficient five-seater car is powered entirely by the sun
A team of students at Eindhoven University of Technology have unveiled an electric car that seats five and is completely powered by the sun. Called Stella Vie, the car is capable of a range of about 1,000 kilometers on a warm summer day.
Hyper-efficient solar car can hit 80 mph and drive 621 miles on a single charge https://t.co/wUYmGi4DSX pic.twitter.com/kRl87NafVE
— Inhabitat (@inhabitat) June 28, 2017
6.
Kite power systems secures £2 million investment from Scottish Investment Bank
Kite Power Systems, the company developing innovative kite-powered energy generation technology in Scotland, has secured its latest round of investment funding, a £2 million equity investment from the Scottish Investment Bank.
Kite Power Systems Secures £2 Million Investment From Scottish Investment Bank https://t.co/GE7tzAwEa0 pic.twitter.com/Y73n0xKivB
— CleanTechnica (@cleantechnica) June 22, 2017
7.
Western Europe smart grid investment to reach €118 billion over next 10 years
Western Europe is looking to invest €118 billion in smart grid infrastructure by 2027, as it seeks to update its grid system.
Cha-CHING! #SmartGrid spending in western #Europe will hit $133.7 bn in the next decade, reports @cleantechnica: https://t.co/LiOCIdkpMv pic.twitter.com/WFlydvz1ys
— IEEE Smart Grid (@ieeesmartgrid) June 26, 2017
8.
Read this if you think you have money-making climate-change solutions
The Solar Impulse Foundation has launched the World Alliance for Efficient Solutions, which aims to identify and catalogue 1,000 profitable climate-change solutions and then match them with regions, governments, and – most critically – private-sector investors.
The World Alliance for Efficient Solutions wants to bring #1000solutions to help government reach their environmental targets #MovinOnConf pic.twitter.com/6Ylrm7UA33
— Bertrand PICCARD (@bertrandpiccard) June 13, 2017
9.
Green bond investors ask if their cash is being spent as promised
Advisers and rating companies are starting to track the environmental effect of projects funded by green bonds. The services may help investors move away from relying on bond-sale promises — which are hard to check and often legally impossible to enforce – and boost confidence in a market where sales will surge 30 percent this year to a record €109 billion, according to a Bloomberg New Energy Finance forecast.
Read more on Bloomberg New Energy Finance
Investors demand to review the #environmental impact of green #bonds https://t.co/n7CoiZPgYr
— Luke Sussams (@Suss_quatch) June 23, 2017
10.
The UK wants to lead world in driverless and electric vehicles
The UK government plans to invest more than £800 million (€882 million) in new driverless and zero-emission vehicle technology as it seeks to boost its economy while leaving the European Union. Investment in research and new recharging infrastructure is intended to make Britain a “leader” in electric and autonomous vehicles, Queen Elizabeth II said.
Read more on Bloomberg New Energy Finance
https://twitter.com/ClimateGroup/status/878719052365139969