A global project to identify innovative ways of protecting the environment in a profitable way is being backed with £1,000,000 from the SNP Government.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon MSP has announced support for the Solar Impulse Foundation’s efforts to identify 1,000 solutions that will protect the environment while also returning a profit.
The Solar Impulse Efficient Solutions Label serves as a new and credible symbol that can be applied to products, processes and services and serves as a guarantee of quality to those looking to implement clean solutions, and affords a competitive edge to the innovators behind them.
The portfolio of solutions already includes a wide range of small and large-scale products which could dramatically reduce both individual and societal contributions to greenhouse change. These include an environmental and economic dredging solution to help recycle sediment from lake and river beds; a blend of plant extracts to reduce methane production in dairy cows and beef cattle; and a solution to halve the amount of water used by showers.
This investment is coupled with an agreement to work towards a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen cooperation in the fight against climate change.
The First Minister said:
“It is a moral obligation on all of us – governments, businesses and individuals – to do what we can to reduce and mitigate the effects of climate change.
“One of the ways we can do that is by identifying different ways of doing things, ways that do not impact negatively on our planet.
“Scotland has a proud history of innovation and we are well placed to use those skills to uncover alternatives to products and practices that currently harm our environment. As such, I’m very pleased that we are going to be able to work with the Solar Impulse Foundation in their future efforts.”
Bertrand Piccard, CEO of the Solar Impulse Foundation, commented:
“This collaboration between Scotland and the Solar Impulse Foundation shows how governments and society at large can get together to bring concrete solutions. I am proud to partner with Scotland, and to send a message of hope for our planet.”
Kenneth Gibson MSP added:
“The fight against climate change will require boldness, ambition, and most importantly innovation which allows us to continue to grow our economy without harming our planet. I am proud that Scotland is currently leading the way in what that means not just in words, but in real, concrete action and solutions.”
ENDS
