Engineering news
The Solar Impulse Foundation, behind the first ever solar flight around the world, has launched the World Alliance for Clean Technologies at COP22, which aims to bring together the ‘main actors’ in clean technologies to help tackle climate change.
Solar Impulse said that its goal is to federate key stakeholders in the field of clean technologies, including start-ups, companies, institutions and organisations producing, implementing or supporting the use of clean technologies.
Together, the members will “share experiences and create synergies” in order to improve the overall value chain and demonstrate and advise on concrete solutions to support governments, corporations and institutions in reaching their environmental and health targets.
The announcement comes less than four months after the landing of the first ever solar flight around the world, accomplished by Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg, and is the second phase of Piccard’s long-term goal to use low-carbon technologies to solve major global challenges, as well as reach the objectives of the Climate Action Agenda.
The Alliance's overarching ambition is to globally advance clean technologies, which it defines as: "any practical solution that allows to bridge the gap between ecology and economy. They are not limited to the production of renewable energy, but encompass technologies, systems, know-hows or processes that protect the environment, improve health, increase energy efficiency or save natural resources, while creating jobs, generating profit and sustaining growth".
“We need to embrace clean technologies, not because they are ‘eco-logical,’ but because they are ‘logical,’” said Bertrand Piccard, chairman of the Solar Impulse Foundation. “Even if climate change didn’t exist, energy efficient technologies would make sense to create jobs, generate profit and boost economic development, while also reducing CO2 emissions and protecting natural resources.”
United Nations secretary-general Ban Ki-moon said: “The Solar Impulse flight showed the world that it is possible to push the limits of technology in order to build the foundation for a sustainable future. By harnessing this and other innovative technologies, we can achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.”
“Initiatives like the World Alliance for Clean Technologies are exactly what we need to further enable investors, governments, cities and citizens to harvest the rich variety of clean technologies that already exist or are under development,” added executive secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Patricia Espinosa.
The Alliance is funded by partners including major supplier of polymers Covestro, international chemical company Solvay and food and drink manufacturer Nestlé, as well as private donors.