Global Campaign in Search of 100 Sustainable Solutions

(Copenhagen, 11 February 2013) – International sustainability initiative Sustainia and the UN Global Compact have launched a global campaign to identify 100 readily available solutions with the potential to spearhead sustainable development across industries and markets. The campaign, Sustainia100, is open to submissions featuring international projects, technologies and state-of-the-art innovations that set new standards for sustainability in at least one of 10 categories: buildings, food, fashion, transportation, IT, education, energy, health, cities and resources.

Sustainia100 is an annual list of the most inspirational and groundbreaking sustainable solutions. Behind the initiative is an alliance of international organizations, institutions and companies with a common objective to demonstrate sustainable practices available across key societal sectors. Sustainia is founded by the alliance Monday Morning and developed in close collaboration with the UN Global Compact, Nobel Sustainability Trust, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s initiative Regions20, IFHP and world-leading companies: Microsoft, GE, DNV, Philips Lighting, DONG Energy, Novo Nordisk, Tetra Pak, Cisco, Knoll, IKEA, Vestas, VELUX, Realdania, Scandinavian Airlines SAS, Ramboll, UBS Investment Bank and Gehl Architects.

Engaged individuals, start-up enterprises, civil society organizations and established businesses can nominate solutions and projects as potential Sustainia100 candidates. As a partner of Sustainia since its inception, the UN Global Compact invites its participants to present their sustainable ideas and solutions through 22 March at www.sustainia.me.

Best solution awarded by Arnold Schwarzenegger
Led by Honorary Chair of the Sustainia Award Committee Arnold Schwarzenegger, a jury will select the most groundbreaking solution from the Sustainia100. The winning solution will be honored with the Sustainia Award at a ceremony in Copenhagen in October 2013. Joining Mr. Schwarzenegger on the jury are Chair of the Nobel Sustainability Trust Gustaf Nobel; former Prime Minister of Norway Gro Harlem Brundtland; Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Dr. Rajendra K. Pachauri; and EU Commissioner of Climate Action Connie Hedegaard.

Arnold Schwarzenegger, Chair of Regions20 and Honorary Chair of Sustainia:
“Solutions are transforming our homes, reshaping our cities, and bringing new ideas to entire communities. By sharing what is already working and pushing for new innovations, we will ensure sustainable growth and job growth at the same time.”

Last year’s Award was presented to British company Azuri and its Indigo Solar Home Systems. The pay-as-you-go solar systems provide a clean, affordable and healthy source of energy to off-grid residents in sub-Saharan Africa.

This is the second year the Sustainia100 will be published. The inaugural global list was launched at the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) in June 2012, featuring solutions from more than 45 countries.

EU Commission joins Sustainia100 campaign
This year, to further raise awareness of the potential of existing sustainable solutions, Sustainia is teaming up with the European Commission’s campaign, ‘A world you like. With a climate you like’. With the new campaign partnership, European Commissioner for Climate Action Connie Hedegaard will award the best European solution among the 2013 submissions.

Connie Hedegaard, European Commissioner for Climate Action:
“By joining forces, Sustainia and the European Commission wish to raise awareness of the many sustainable alternatives available to industries, companies, regulators and consumers not only in the EU, but across the globe.”

How to submit a solution?
Solutions can be submitted via the Sustainia website at www.sustainia.me.

What solutions is Sustainia looking for?
To be selected for Sustainia100, a solution must excel in the following criteria: Be ready and available; have a positive environmental impact; be financially viable; have the potential to improve quality of life; and the potential for scalability.

Who is behind Sustainia100?
Sustainia is a global alliance of international organizations and companies working to create sustainable growth. Based on tangible know-how and technologies, Sustainia demonstrates the sustainable future we could achieve if existing solutions were implemented on a large scale. Sustainia is founded by Scandinavian think tank Monday Morning and developed in close collaboration with the UN Global Compact, Nobel Sustainability Trust, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s initiative Regions20, IFHP and world-leading companies: Microsoft, GE, DNV, Philips Lighting, DONG Energy, Novo Nordisk, Tetra Pak, Cisco, Knoll, IKEA, Vestas, VELUX, Realdania, Scandinavian Airlines SAS, Ramboll, UBS Investment Bank and Gehl Architects.

Contact

Marie Louise Gorvild
Communications Manager
Sustainia
mlg@mm.dk
+45 3164 1050 or +45 33 707 151