DNV GL hosts Sustania100 launch event which reveals latest study on 100 leading sustainability innovations deployed in global markets.
As a founding partner behind Sustainia100, DNV GL sees the study guide as an important tool for investors, decision makers and consumers as it provides insights to the most promising solutions at the forefront of sustainable transformation.
Speaking at the Sustainia100 event at DNV GL’s headquarters in Høvik, Norway, Bjørn K. Haugland, DNV GL Group Sustainability Officer said, “Congratulations to the 100 selected solutions. They all demonstrate that sustainable alternatives are not only available, but also attractive, competitive and successful. They all give us hope for a faster transformation to a sustainable future.”
The Sustainia100 study documents a growing diversity in sustainability innovations globally, which is providing businesses with new market opportunities. More than 900 technologies and projects on nearly all continents have been researched to identify where and how innovations are being developed, deployed and put to scale.
Changing landscape
“Sustainable innovation is truly broadening out these years. We are seeing how corporations are rapidly innovating and deploying new energy and resource-optimizing solutions. With this development, companies will lag behind if they do not gear towards the changing landscape, where efficient and sustainable operation is key to long-term survival,” says Laura Storm, Director of Sustainia.
The study covers new and developing solutions and technologies used in homes, offices, industry and transportation systems. All identified innovations are readily available with demonstrated environmental, social and economic benefits. The 100 selections are currently deployed in 142 countries.
“While we don't have the luxury of time to fix the problem of unsustainable development, we do have a wealth of readily available solutions. And with Sustainia100, we now know where to find the most inspiring of them,” says Dr. Rajendra Pachauri, Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
Strong drivers
The vetted projects and technologies span from Western innovation hubs to emerging economies. In addition, the study reflects overall market trends and developments. More and more, sustainable innovation acknowledges the importance of consumer behaviour by giving users access to data that drives them to change their energy consumption. The data also reveals three strong drivers among the market-ready innovation: circular economy products, data analytic services and improved sustainability practices throughout the supply chain.
All Sustainia100 solutions are nominated for the Sustainia Award, which will be announced in October this year.
In connection with the Sustainia100 launch, DNV GL also hosted a programme of events that included a session titled ‘Solution Revolution’ with Dr. Rajendra K. Pachauri, Georg Kell, Excecutive Director, UNGC and DNV GL Group President & CEO Henrik O. Madsen sharing their perspectives on the importance of sustainability. The session was led by Erik Rasmussen, CEO of Monday Morning Global Institute and Founder of Sustania.
The event programme also included a separate session on ‘New perspectives into new opportunities’ where participants gained new insights into communicating and investigating opportunities. Speakers included Young Sustainability Leaders Kajsa Li Paludan and Alec Loorz, followed by Sven Mollekleiv, SVP DNV GL, who shared his perspective on ‘challenging the traditional way for acting in the healthcare system’. Morten Jastrup, Sustainia Project Director, presented the Global Opportunity Report, a new project which focuses on identifying new opportunities for collaborative action for a sustainable future.
For more information contact:
Stuart Brewer, DNV GL Group Media and Communication Manager: stuart.d.brewer@dnvgl.com
Marie Louise Gorvild, Communications Manager, Sustainia: mlg@mm.dk
WHAT IS SUSTAINIA100?
SUSTAINIA100 is an annual guide to 100 innovative sustainability solutions from around the world. The guide identifies readily available projects, initiatives and technologies at the forefront of sustainable innovation. This year, Sustainia’s research team and advisory board screened a pool of over 900 nominated solutions from which the final 100 solutions were selected. SUSTAINIA100 gives investors, business leaders, policy makers and consumers insights into promising solutions within their respective fields. These vetted projects and technologies span from Western innovation hubs to emerging economies. The 2014 SUSTAINIA100 guide, released on June 16 in Oslo, is the third edition.