The Impact Innovator | Issue 305
In this week's The Impact Innovator edition:
What is it:?The charitable organization founded by Michael Bloomberg, Bloomberg Philanthropies, is dedicating $200 million to support leaders of 25 U.S. cities in accessing federal funding opportunities aimed at reducing their emissions. This initiative, dubbed Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities, offers these cities not only funding but also vital expertise to utilize federal funds effectively. These funds are part of the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The program plans to work with partners like PolicyLink, the Natural Resources Defense Council, and the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins University to help cities implement projects that reduce emissions, such as building energy-efficient housing and increasing electric vehicle usage.
Why it's important:?This significant financial commitment from Bloomberg Philanthropies highlights the crucial role cities play in tackling climate change. By focusing on urban areas, the initiative aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through improved building and transportation networks. This approach not only addresses environmental concerns but also aims at fostering sustainable growth and equity, especially in disadvantaged communities. Moreover, the involvement of Bloomberg, a prominent figure in climate activism and international climate policy, underscores the importance of local action in the global fight against climate change.
Key takeaways:?The initiative is not just about financial investment; it also emphasizes the transfer of knowledge and expertise to the selected cities. By pairing cities with "innovation teams," Bloomberg Philanthropies aims to ensure that each city can effectively plan and implement projects that mitigate climate impact and promote equity. This hands-on assistance is tailored to each city's specific needs and is designed to create sustainable, long-term improvements. Additionally, the initiative's focus on leveraging federal funds for local projects highlights a strategic approach to maximizing impact. The choice of cities, including Akron, Birmingham, Charlotte, and others, indicates a broad geographic spread, aiming to create diverse models of sustainable urban development that can be replicated nationwide.
What is it:?The charitable organization founded by Michael Bloomberg, Bloomberg Philanthropies, is dedicating $200 million to support leaders of 25 U.S. cities in accessing federal funding opportunities aimed at reducing their emissions. This initiative, dubbed Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities, offers these cities not only funding but also vital expertise to utilize federal funds effectively. These funds are part of the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The program plans to work with partners like PolicyLink, the Natural Resources Defense Council, and the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins University to help cities implement projects that reduce emissions, such as building energy-efficient housing and increasing electric vehicle usage.
Why it's important:?This significant financial commitment from Bloomberg Philanthropies highlights the crucial role cities play in tackling climate change. By focusing on urban areas, the initiative aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through improved building and transportation networks. This approach not only addresses environmental concerns but also aims at fostering sustainable growth and equity, especially in disadvantaged communities. Moreover, the involvement of Bloomberg, a prominent figure in climate activism and international climate policy, underscores the importance of local action in the global fight against climate change.
Key takeaways:?The initiative is not just about financial investment; it also emphasizes the transfer of knowledge and expertise to the selected cities. By pairing cities with "innovation teams," Bloomberg Philanthropies aims to ensure that each city can effectively plan and implement projects that mitigate climate impact and promote equity. This hands-on assistance is tailored to each city's specific needs and is designed to create sustainable, long-term improvements. Additionally, the initiative's focus on leveraging federal funds for local projects highlights a strategic approach to maximizing impact. The choice of cities, including Akron, Birmingham, Charlotte, and others, indicates a broad geographic spread, aiming to create diverse models of sustainable urban development that can be replicated nationwide.
What is it:?The article is about Poseidon Ocean Systems, a British Columbia-based startup that has raised $28 million CAD in a Series B funding round. The company develops technology aimed at improving fish welfare and reducing the environmental impact of fish farming, which includes an integrated life support platform and semi-closed marine aquaculture systems. The new funding will be used to strengthen its relationships with clients in Canada, Chile, and the UK, and expand into new global markets.
Why it's important:?This article is significant as it reports on Poseidon Ocean Systems, a startup that has secured $28-million CAD in Series B funding to further develop its technology aimed at improving fish welfare and reducing environmental damage caused by fish farming. This is crucial given the growing global reliance on fish farming for food security, and the urgent need for more sustainable and resilient practices in the industry. The startup's innovations could transform aquaculture, making it more eco-friendly and efficient.
Key takeaways:?Poseidon Ocean Systems, a British Columbia-based startup, has secured $28 million CAD in a Series B funding round led by Ecosystem Integrity Fund. The company, which develops tech solutions for the aquaculture industry, aims to improve fish welfare and mitigate the environmental impact of fish farming. Their offerings include an integrated life support platform that defends against harmful organisms, reduces stress, and increases survival rates and yields from fish. Poseidon plans to use the new funding to deepen its relationships with clients in Canada, Chile, and the UK, and expand into new markets globally. This comes at a time when fish farming is expected to account for almost two-thirds of global fish consumption by 2030, according to the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization.
What is it:?Furno Brick, a revolutionary, modular, and carbon-neutral cement production unit designed to significantly advance sustainable manufacturing practices. This compact, end-to-end cement production system aims to address the environmental challenges associated with traditional cement production, notably its considerable contribution to global CO2 emissions.
领英推荐
Why it's important:?Cement is the second most consumed material on the planet and a major source of CO2 emissions due to outdated and inefficient production processes. Furno's innovative technology promises a sustainable solution by offering a cost-effective, scalable, and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional cement plants, potentially transforming the industry and contributing significantly to global decarbonization efforts.
Other key points:?The Furno Brick incorporates advanced kiln and combustion technology, optimizing cement production to be more environmentally friendly by reducing CO2, NOx, and SOx emissions. It combines the traditional four stages of cement production into a single reactor, enhancing thermal efficiency and reducing costs.?The funding round, led by Energy Capital Ventures and joined by other notable investors, underscores the industry's recognition of Furno's potential to disrupt traditional cement production methods.?Furno is driven by a mission to reduce the environmental impact of cement production, offering a more sustainable, efficient, and cost-effective alternative for the industry.
What is it:?Poseidona, a Barcelona-based sustainable food technology company co-founded by Sònia Hurtado and María Cerme?o, is tackling the global issue of invasive algae by transforming it into a sustainable protein source. Utilizing Rugulopteryx okamurae, an invasive seaweed species affecting the Mediterranean, along with algal side-streams, Poseidona employs enzymatic hydrolysis among other technologies to create a soy protein alternative. This initiative not only addresses environmental concerns but also innovates in the sustainable food sector by repurposing what is essentially a marine pest into valuable food ingredients.
Why it's important: The significance of Poseidona's work lies in its multifaceted approach to addressing environmental, economic, and food security challenges. Invasive algae, like Rugulopteryx okamurae, pose a serious threat to marine ecosystems by smothering coral reefs and disrupting habitats for fish and other marine life. By converting this invasive species into a protein source, Poseidona is not only helping to restore affected marine ecosystems but also providing a sustainable and potentially more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional protein sources, such as soy. Furthermore, their process promises to make use of agricultural by-products, adding an element of circular economy into the food production system.
Key takeaways:?Poseidona's process involves enzymatic hydrolysis and a proprietary combination of enzymes to ensure the extraction of high-quality protein, focusing on nutritional value and functionality without undesirable flavors or colors.?Poseidona aims to compete in the plant-based protein market by offering an affordable, high-quality alternative to soy and pea proteins, which currently dominate the market.?Poseidona is navigating government regulations on algae collection and exploring programs to involve fishermen in seaweed collection, potentially offering a new revenue stream for communities affected by declining fish populations.?Beyond Rugulopteryx okamurae, Poseidona plans to expand its use of various invasive seaweeds, including Sargassum, to further its mission of producing sustainable proteins at a cost competitive with traditional plant-based options.
What is it:?The financial landscape in Africa is currently undergoing a significant transformation towards sustainability, highlighted by the rapid increase in Environmental Social Governance (ESG) bonds, which have hit a new high of $4.4 billion in early 2024. This marks a sharp increase from the previous year's total of $1.4 billion, illustrating the continent's growing commitment to investments that prioritize environmental, social, and governance criteria. Institutions like the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), and financial arrangers such as BNP Paribas are leading this shift.
Why it's important:?This surge in ESG financing is critical because it indicates Africa's rising role in global sustainability efforts and attracts robust international investor interest in ethical and sustainable financial products. For instance, the AfDB issued $2 billion in social bonds and $750 million in hybrid sustainable bonds in January 2024 alone. This growing ESG bond market in Africa not only aligns with global sustainable investment trends but also provides a pathway for directing capital towards projects with positive environmental and social impacts, positioning Africa as a significant player in the global move towards sustainability.
Key takeaways:?Key players driving this surge include development finance institutions like AfDB, regional entities like the UMOA Titres in West Africa, and leading financial arrangers such as BNP Paribas, JPMorgan, and Bank of America Securities. These institutions support and facilitate the issuance of ESG bonds, contributing to the development of the market.?The ESG bond market is expected to continue thriving, with global emissions projected to reach $950 billion in 2024. Africa's burgeoning market is poised to play a crucial role in this expansion, reflecting a broader global shift towards sustainable investment practices. The continent's embrace of ESG principles is just the beginning of a sustained trend towards greener, more responsible financing options.
What is it:?The article is about a startup named Interlune aiming to become the first private company to mine the moon's natural resources, specifically helium-3, and sell them back on Earth. With former Blue Origin president Rob Meyerson as one of its founders, Interlune plans to have a pilot plant on the moon by 2028 and begin operations by 2030. The company has raised $18 million in funding and intends to use the helium-3 for applications like quantum computing, medical imaging, and potentially as fuel for fusion reactors.
Why it's important:?The article is significant as it discusses the ambitious plans of a startup, Interlune, to mine the moon's natural resources, specifically helium-3, a potential fuel for fusion reactors, and sell them back on Earth. This venture, if successful, could revolutionize energy production and open up new avenues in space exploration and resource extraction, marking a milestone in both the commercialization and utilization of space resources.
Key takeaways:?Interlune, a startup, is planning to be the first private company to mine the moon's natural resources and sell them on Earth, with an initial focus on helium-3, a helium isotope abundant on the moon. The company, co-founded by former Blue Origin president Rob Meyerson, aims to have a pilot plant on the moon by 2028 and start operations by 2030. Interlune recently raised $18 million in funding, with helium-3 targeted for use in quantum computing, medical imaging, and potentially as fuel for fusion reactors. The company plans to extract the helium-3 from lunar soil and ship it back to Earth, also planning a robotic lander mission to assess helium-3 concentration at the selected lunar location.