Can your innovation contribute to sustainable consumption?
The City of Gothenburg faces a number of climate-related challenges and is seeking innovative green-tech solutions that contribute to sustainable consumption. These must have a positive climate impact and be able to reach a wide market faster and more efficiently than has previously been possible. Their aim is to offer the inhabitants of Gothenburg tools which can help them make better and more informed climate friendly choices in their everyday life.
One of the core messages which emerged from COP21 in Paris, December 2015 was that citizens in cities around the world play a vital role in taking action on climate change, and it therefore makes sense to achieve dialogue and cooperation between citizens, cities and private companies, that brings about concrete solutions to support sustainability in individual households.
The market itself demonstrates the rising demand for sustainable goods and services for citizens. Socially responsible investing, where sustainable consumption and production is a strong element, has grown 500% over the last decade in the EU, with € 7 billion invested in such products in 2014. Likewise, retail consumers’ demand for sustainable products continues to rise and was worth €34 billion in 2014. The global market for environmental goods and services is €462 billion pa and is estimated to rise to €600 billion in the next three to four years. Nordic business is responsible for €33 billion of this market.
Climate-KIC is helping the City with our unique Open Innovation concept where entrepreneurs, SMEs, corporates, researchers and community groups are encouraged to propose products and services which can be tested and implemented to address the City’s specific climate challenges.
More information about the event here.