Tokyo (SCCIJ) – Following the success of the first solar flight around the world, the Solar Impulse Foundation, led by the Swiss adventurer Bertrand Piccard and headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland, has set itself a new challenge: select #1000solutions that can protect the environment in a profitable way. Its latest step in achieving this ambitious goal is the launch of the Solar Impulse Efficient Solution Label. Piccard will undertake a promotion tour around the world to convince as many government and enterprise leaders as possible to apply for and utilize this first global environmental label.
Sustainable and profitable solutions
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 also 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.
New global environment label
“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.”
Encouraging more ambitious targets
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.”
A strict assessment methodology
The Efficient Solution Label can be awarded to Members of the World Alliance for Efficient Solutions who submit their solutions for review. Solutions can be products, processes or services contributing to achieving one or more of the following “Sustainable Development Goals” of the United Nations:
- Clean Water and Sanitation
- Affordable and Clean Energy
- Industry Innovation and Infrastructure
- Sustainable Cities and Communities
- Responsible Consumption and Production
Furthermore, they must have reached a minimum maturity level of at-scale prototype testing to be eligible for consideration, thus having already identified a concrete application scenario.
If the solution meets these requirements, it will be assessed according to three main criteria: Technological feasibility; Environmental and socio-economic benefits; Economic profitability. Solutions that are rated highly enough will be awarded the Solar Impulse Efficient Solution Label.
An internationally recognized Label
An independent verifier has reviewed the procedure and guidelines for the attribution of the Solar Impulse Efficient Solution Label, with regards to their relevance, completeness, reliability, neutrality, and clarity. This independent verifier also reviews the implementation of the whole procedure, covering the successive steps of submission, pre-selection and match-making, expert assessment and finally deliberation and label attribution.
The latest challenge of the Solar Impulse Foundation has received widespread institutional support, including from the UNFCCC, the European Commission, The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the International Energy Agency (IEA). Further collaborations include the EU Covenant of Mayors, a collection of more than 7,500 mayors from across the European continent looking to implement EU climate and energy objectives and to transition their cities toward sustainability.
Text and label photo: Solar Impulse Foundation
