A New Approach To Protecting The Environment

By launching its Efficient Solution Label the Solar Impulse Foundation wants to prove that protection of the environment is profitable.

Following the success of the first solar flight around the world, the Solar Impulse Foundation, led by Dr Bertrand Piccard, has set itself a new challenge: select #1000solutions that can protect the environment in a profitable way.

On the occasion of the 3rd Mission Innovation (MI3) and on the eve of the 9th Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM9), the Solar Impulse Foundation is proud to announce a new step towards achieving this ambitious goal: the launch of the Solar Impulse Efficient Solution Label. This label is granted to solutions who meet high standards of both sustainability and profitability. Each solution will go through a strict assessment process performed by independent experts and serves as an indication of quality to those looking to implement clean solutions, and affords a competitive edge to the innovators behind them.

“Imagine the impact that this will have on the world! 1000 clean and efficient solutions with a label proving their profitability. They have the potential to create jobs and boost clean economic growth, while also reducing CO2 emissions and preserving natural resources. This is much more than ecological, it is logical!” says Bertrand Piccard, Initiator and Chairman of the Solar Impulse Foundation. “Each time I speak of protecting the environment to heads of state or government officials, they tell me that it is too expensive. This label is a strong message to them: solutions exist, and represent the biggest market opportunity of our century. An opportunity which cannot be missed.”

In 2019, Bertrand Piccard will undertake a new round the world journey to present the 1000 labelled solutions to decision-makers in businesses and governments. This aims at encouraging them to adopt more ambitious environmental targets and energy policies, which are necessary to unlock the full potential of labelled solutions.

The Label has already received support from major figures, including Carlos Moedas, European Commissioner for Research, Science & Innovation: “The Efficient Solution Label clearly demonstrates the economic opportunities that innovative clean technologies bring. Its rigorous and strict criteria will help raise the profile of new breakthrough solutions and make them an attractive first pre-screening for investors. This is essential for implementing the Paris agreement. I am pleased to join forces with Bertrand Piccard's Solar Impulse Foundation on this unique initiative. Channelling promising innovations to the Efficient Solutions portfolio will increase the impact of EU investments in research and innovation."

(Source: Solar Impulse Foundation news release. Image from file)

FMI: solarimpulse.com