This week’s ten biggest climate innovation stories — 2 November

Posts 02 Nov 2017

Is it easier for cities to reduce residential or transport emissions? What’s been the relationship between fashion and nature? And, which market signals should we look for at COP23?

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

1.

Steven Holl unveils office clad in colourful photovoltaic glass for Doctors Without Borders

Steven Holl Architects just beat out a slew of other firms with plans for the new Doctors Without Borders headquarters in Geneva. The energy-efficient “Colors of Humanity” building features an innovative facade made of multi-hued photovoltaic glass and it’s topped with a lush green roof.

Read more on Inhabitat.

2.

It’s easier for cities to reduce residential emissions than transportation emissions

It’s easier for cities to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions through the residential sector than it is through the transportation sector, a new study authored by an MIT professor has found. The primary ability to do so is through better construction practices, not increased housing density, interestingly.

Read more on Clean Technica.

3.

Koen Olthuis of WaterStudio.nl talks about design for a Water World

In light of all the dire news related to climate change, rising sea levels, and the natural disasters which have stricken numerous coastal areas around the world, Inhabitat highlights an interview its Editor-in-Chief, Jill Fehrenbacher, conducted with architect Koen Olthuis of Waterstudio.nl.

Read more on Inhabitat.

4.

New smart grid solution heals itself amid central grid outages

Renewable energy may offer emissions-free electricity, but it isn’t always easy for electrical grids to integrate that energy. Dutch company Alfen is launching their answer to the dilemma. The Cellular Smart Grid Platform (CSGriP) allows a central grid to be divided into smaller cells that can operate independently, if necessary, and even self-heal.

Read more on Inhabitat.

5.

Replacing private cars in urban areas with shared mobility services reduces car numbers, carbon emissions, and parking needs

The replacement of private car traffic in urban areas with shared mobility services reduces the number of cars needed, carbon dioxide emissions, and parking needs, according to a new study from the International Transport Forum (ITF).

Read more on Clean Technica.

6.

Innovation in plastics recycling with YASED

It’s no secret that plastic pollution is one of the most persistent waste issues we face on our planet. Enter YASED, a finalist in the 2017 Climate Launchpad Grand Final. YASED makes a natural solution that effectively and rapidly breaks down both expanded polystyrene (styrofoam) and hard polystyrene (plastic #6 on US labels).

Read more on Clean Technica.

7.

Greenery will engulf this pair of metal prefab offices in Madrid

Nature is encouraged to take over this pair of prefabricated metal buildings in a leafy corner of Madrid. Designed by BETA.ø architecture office for a tennis and padel school, these two small buildings use simple pitched-roof geometry to recede into the landscape, so as not to disrupt the existing tree-lined environment. To further blend the architecture into the landscape, a metal mesh is overlaid atop steel cladding to allow vines to surround the building over time.

Read more on Inhabitat.

8.

Iridescent Monet-inspired Métropole building catches the light on the River Seine

Fish scale-like coloured glass clads the iridescent headquarters of Métropole Rouen Normandie, a stunning new landmark for a “future eco-district” in France. Designed by Jacques Ferrier Architecture, the eye-catching building takes inspiration from the impressionist works of Claude Monet, who produced many paintings of the nearby Rouen Cathedral. More than just good looks, the multifaceted structure emphasises smart energy consumption with passive thermal protection and rooftop solar panels.

Read more on Inhabitat.

9.

Fashion’s interwoven relationship with nature to go on display at V&A

From 1780s waistcoat to bioluminescent GM dress, exhibition traces interaction and celebrates sustainable yet desirable fashion.

Read more on The Guardian.

10.

Four market signals to watch at COP23

COP23 must continue to strengthen an international climate regime that sends the right market signals, reaffirms support for more ambitious and transformational implementation, raises awareness of the growing impacts of climate change, and mobilises an ever greater number of players to act now before it is too late to avoid the most severe consequences of a changing climate.

Read more on Green Biz.

https://twitter.com/GWPnews/status/925983185284091905

 
Location

Share this article

Related Articles

This week’s ten biggest climate innovation stories – 28 June Spacious 500-acre park provides green backdrop to inspiring climate change art This week’s ten biggest climate innovation stories – 21 June
Back to all Articles

Share this article