This week’s ten biggest climate innovation stories — 1 March

Posts 01 Mar 2018

Which country is home to the world’s first plastic-free grocery aisle? What is a “smart island”? And, is wireless charging the future of electric cars?

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

1. Thoughts on how companies and investors can navigate the ESG disclosure maze

Greater integration of environmental social governance (ESG) factors in boardroom decision making and investor risk analysis long has been seen as a crucial building block towards a sustainable, low carbon economy. After all, finance, companies and markets largely dictate how a capitalist economy grows—and how quickly it transitions to greener business models.

2. Gorgeous roof garden feeds owners in the off-grid Yin & Yang House

Architecture studio Penda unveiled designs for an off-grid home Kassel, Germany with a stunning rooftop garden. Commissioned by a young family who wants to produce most of their own food, the Yin & Yang house features a minimal timber structure with a terraced roof curved in a shape evocative of the yin yang symbol.

3. World’s first plastic-free aisle opens in Netherlands supermarket

Campaigners hail progress as Amsterdam store offers dedicated aisle of more than 700 products, with plans for a national roll-out.

4. German court empowers cities to ban old diesel cars

One of Germany’s top courts has ruled that heavily polluting vehicles can be banned from the urban centres of Stuttgart and Düsseldorf, a landmark ruling which could cause traffic chaos on the country’s roads and dramatically hit the value of diesel cars.

5. Energy storage progress could slash electric car charging times

Researchers have claimed a breakthrough in energy storage technology that could enable electric cars to be driven as far as petrol and diesel vehicles, and recharge in minutes rather than hours.

6. Dutch villa smartly taps into solar energy and optimal site conditions

EVA Architecten took the long view when designing Villa IJsselzig, a modern home set next to the river Hollandse Ijssel that’s optimised for energy efficiency and durability. Renewable energy including solar and a heat pumps power the home while the carefully positioned openings reduce unwanted solar gain.

7. Renault partners with EEM to create world’s first “smart island”

As part of an effort to facilitate a larger energy transition by the government of the Autonomous Region of Madeira, the local energy supplier Empresa de Electricidade da Madeira has chosen Groupe Renault to participate in the “Sustainable Porto Santo—Smart Fossil Free Island” project which will turn the Portuguese islands of Madeira archipelago (Madeira and Porto Santo) into “smart islands.”

8. The little company that’s bringing wireless charging to electric cars

WiTricity has been working on wireless charging for over a decade. With a shift toward electric cars, the company may soon reap its rewards.

9. Printed organic polymer solar cells finally getting accessible & affordable: Danish startup ready to scale up

18 years of hard work has resulted in the startup infinityPV finally commercialising products with printed solar photovoltaic foil.

10. Here are promising strategies for addressing climate adaptation with green bonds

To date, “green bonds” have been seen as the primary vehicle for environmental or social impact in the fixed-income market. Green bond issuance has grown significantly since the market was initiated in 2007, with offerings by the European Investment Bank and the World Bank.

This week’s ten biggest climate innovation stories — 1 March

1.

Thoughts on how companies and investors can navigate the ESG disclosure maze

2.

Gorgeous roof garden feeds owners in the off-grid Yin & Yang House

3.

World’s first plastic-free aisle opens in Netherlands supermarket

4.

German court empowers cities to ban old diesel cars

5.

Energy storage progress could slash electric car charging times

6.

Dutch villa smartly taps into solar energy and optimal site conditions

7.

Renault partners with EEM to create world’s first “smart island”

8.

The little company that’s bringing wireless charging to electric cars

9.

Printed organic polymer solar cells finally getting accessible & affordable: Danish startup ready to scale up

10.

Here are promising strategies for addressing climate adaptation with green bonds

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