Verdantix Produces A New WWF Report On Green Game-Changers For Sustainability Innovation
London, November 8, 2011. For the second year running, Verdantix was commissioned by WWF-UK to conduct the research for the WWF Green Game-Changers report on sustainable business innovation. Based on a global market scan of sustainability innovations, WWF-UK and Verdantix shortlisted 50 innovations which offer transformational sustainability benefits. The innovations come from four different categories and are drawn from projects in 30 different countries.
“WWF and Verdantix share a conviction that the business community stands to gain from game-changing, sustainability innovations,” commented Dax Lovegrove, Head of Business and Industry Relations at WWF-UK. “As the leading independent analyst firm for energy, environment and sustainability research, Verdantix were the obvious partner for this project. We selected them to contribute to our green game-changing innovations report for the second year running due to their rigorous research methodology, unique expertise and global coverage.”
Verdantix conducted desk based research to identify over 200 sustainable business innovations before applying screening criteria to identify the 50 with highest potential to be truly game changing. Innovations were assessed for their ability to offer genuine environmental benefits and achieve mass adoption. The 50 shortlisted innovations provide substantial environmental benefits in four categories:
• Dematerialisation innovations dramatically cut the use of natural resources. Banco CYAN is a cross-sector alliance between a brewer, water utility and bank which incentivises people in Brazil to use less water.
• Restorative innovations have net positive environmental impacts on eco-systems. Biorock coral reef restoration is a pioneering technology which can protect the rich biodiversity of coral reefs and the local economies they support.
• Open loop partnerships enable one company’s waste to be turned into another’s resource. One of China’s largest economic zones, TEDA, has set up an industrial symbiosis network to enable resident businesses to share resources.
• Renewable energy and low carbon innovations such as the Trans-European low carbon transport network, which will connect EV charging stations with existing road and rail infrastructures.
“The business community is 5 years into a 50 year transformation to meet the challenges of massive population growth, global urbanization, resource scarcity and heightened environmental risks,” commented Rodolphe d’Arjuzon, Director at Verdantix. “Sustainable business innovations – whether in the form of partnerships, policies, business models, processes or products - are an essential driver of this transformation. Firms that recognise the opportunities created by these macro trends ahead of the curve can commercialize game-changing innovations and gain competitive advantage.”
The report, Green game-changers, 50 innovations to inspire business transformation is available for download at www.wwf.org.uk.
About Verdantix
Verdantix is the fastest-growing, independent analyst firm focused on energy, environment and sustainability. Through our global primary research and deep domain expertise we provide our clients with strategic advice, revenue generating services, best practice frameworks, industry connections and competitive advantage. For more information visit: www.verdantix.com.
Tuesday, 08 November 2011