To build an opportunity out of a limitation. This objective faces a real challenge in an era where climate change issues are receiving more media attention than ever before but often with a fatalist tone. Nevertheless, it is also an era where those who are taking on the challenge to develop new solutions are numerous. Scott Munguía is a Mexican who invented a bioplastic from avocado seeds. Sandra Sassow is based in the UK and her start up allows for hospitals, villages, and other sites to produce energy from their food waste. The City of Seoul, inspires its citizens to consume more responsibly and to respect the environment. It has even been cited by NYC as an inspiration. They are engineers, designers, architects, local officials, entrepreneurs etc. and they have all developed a business around a real solution to climate change.
The power of collaboration
Solutions&Co brings together more than 20 quality international business newspapers. (Les Echos, The Financial Times, African Business, Hindu Business Line, Valor Economico etc.) along with the economic leaders to shed light on these entrepreneurs who have developed innovative solutions for climate change. We partner with media to help them showcase local actors in the responsible economy: a circular economy, which brings into question the end of a product’s life cycle and an economy which places energy efficiency at the heart of its construction. On the 4th of November 2016, the 20-25 partners of Solutions&Co, all quality business newspapers, will publish a supplement in digital and print formats, dedicated to these entrepreneurs by sharing their articles with each other. This sharing of rich and informative content allows for European readers to be inspired by innovations in Africa and for Americans to be inspired by innovations in Asia or vice-versa. All of this is driven by our belief that if we observe existing solutions, it should be our mission to ensure that they are seen and that their impact is amplified and accelerated.
Concrete connections
Beyond the publication of innovations in the media, the entrepreneurs benefit from being highlighted at events and can develop connections with possible partners. Three of the entrepreneurs in the previous edition were able to meet the editors in chief partnered with Solutions&Co, at the seminar organized by Sparknews during COP21. Meetings with businesses also occur at events where Sparknews is a partner (Notably COP22).
Launch of the Call for Projects for the 2nd Edition
The second edition is underway and the call for projects is open. Innovative projects will thus have the opportunity to be selected to feature in 20-25 international business newspapers.
To apply, the proposed solution has to be an inspiring business innovation that is replicable and already has a measurable impact. It also needs to have a sustainable economic model and respond to an environmental problem. Are you a positive entrepreneur or do you know any innovative business solutions that are having an impressive environmental impact? Submit your project before the 27th of May and share it with those around you!
A Reminder of the 1st Edition
On the 18th of November last year, 18 quality business newspapers participated in the 1st edition, sharing 50 business solutions for climate change with 5 million readers and 13 million internet users on social media. More than 500 innovations, from over 90 countries had been identified throughout the call for projects. Following the first edition, an impact evaluation was carried out among the entrepreneurs who received coverage and 82% acknowledged that Solutions&Co had a positive impact. Furthermore, over a third (36%) received new clients following Solutions&Co.
The 18 media partners in 2015: Les Echos (France), Handelsblatt (Germany), Financial Times (UK), Cinco Dias (Spain), Letzenbürger Journal (Luxembourg), Politiken (Denmark), L’Echo & De Tijd (Belgium), L’Economiste (Morocco), African Business (Pan-Africa), Business Day (Ghana), Kommersant (Russia), Hindu Business Line (India), Valor Economico (Brazil), Diario Financierio (Chili), Portafolio (Colombia) El Economista (Mexico), Les Affaires (Canada), The Huffington Post (USA)
