This week’s ten biggest climate innovation stories — 21 September

Posts 21 Sep 2017

How does Oslo plan on becoming a carbon neutral city? What is a ‘living chandelier’? And, is it possible to integrate solar power into our clothing?

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

1. Oslo Mayor: Here’s how we plan to become a carbon neutral city

The city of Oslo surprised observers last year by announcing plans to introduce a “carbon budget” with the objective of halving its global warming emissions by 2020 and becoming carbon neutral by 2030. The city’s Mayor, Raymond Johansen, told EURACTIV.com how he intends to achieve this ambitious objective.

2. Clean energy is approaching a tipping point

The cost of renewables is plunging faster than forecasters anticipated just a few years ago as as technologies like gigantic wind turbines arrive on the market.

#CleanEnergy Is Approaching a Tipping Point – @business https://t.co/s8nXTYwD41 pic.twitter.com/SMbpqwEmc6

— Ryan Kushner (@KushyKush) September 21, 2017

3. Ministers launch group to help boost green business investment

A new group led by investors and leading figures from the City of London has been brought together by the government to draw up measures to encourage “green finance” in the UK.

4. Extraordinary living chandelier with algae-filled leaves purifies the air

Julian Melchiorri, a London-based designer and engineer, created an extraordinary living chandelier that not only lights up the room, but also actively purifies the air around it. Currently on display at the V&A Museum for London Design Week, the Exhale Chandelier features glass leaves filled with green algae that absorb CO2 and release oxygen.

5. How to drive 755 kilometers on one charge in an Opel Ampera-e

A German film crew from automobil, a television show that runs on the VOX channel, wanted to find out how far they could drive in a stock Opel Ampera-E on a single battery charge. So they got their hands on one, charged it up, and proved that applying efficient driving techniques can significantly improve the potential range of an electric car.

6. Climate change lawsuits are increasingly showing up in court

When it comes to climate change policy, don’t underestimate the power of the courts. That’s the message from new research that analyzes the growing — but under-recognized — role of the judiciary in the fate of climate change regulations, and the increasing influence of science in climate litigation.

7. Coal barge in London converted into a sophisticated floating home

A 1924 barge in London has been transformed into an amazing floating home. The historic Humber Keel cargo boat now functions as a comfortable two-bedroom home with two baths, open living space and terrace views. The restored houseboat maintains the original woodwork and custom mid-century furnishings.

8. France plans new incentives to phase out polluting vehicles

The French government is planning a series of new incentives and taxes to phase out polluting vehicles and to boost energy-saving insulation in houses, the environment minister said.

9. Leclanché working on energy storage system for Fastned’s EV fast-charging stations

The noted energy storage firm Leclanché SA is now working to develop an energy storage system to be used at Fastned’s electric vehicle fast-charging stations in Europe. This new partnership will first lead to the installation of systems at two of the Dutch EV charging network’s facilities.

10. Stretchy, waterproof solar cells to power wearables

Organic solar cells that are waterproof and stretchable could someday be sewn into washable electronic clothing. Researchers in Japan describe fabricating and testing several of these cells today in the journal Nature Energy.

This week’s ten biggest climate innovation stories — 21 September

1.

Oslo Mayor: Here’s how we plan to become a carbon neutral city

2.

Clean energy is approaching a tipping point

3.

Ministers launch group to help boost green business investment

4.

Extraordinary living chandelier with algae-filled leaves purifies the air

5.

How to drive 755 kilometers on one charge in an Opel Ampera-e

6.

Climate change lawsuits are increasingly showing up in court

7.

Coal barge in London converted into a sophisticated floating home

8.

France plans new incentives to phase out polluting vehicles

9.

Leclanché working on energy storage system for Fastned’s EV fast-charging stations

10.

Stretchy, waterproof solar cells to power wearables

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