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Sustainia presents 100 solutions with focus on Sustainable Development Goals

Xinhua, June 7, 2016 Adjust font size:

Green think-tank Sustainia launched here on Tuesday the annual Sustainia100 publication that showcases 100 sustainable solutions from around the world with a special focus on the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The 2016 Sustainia100 points out that this year is the year of "systemic opportunity."

From health solutions that tackle climate change, to renewable energy products that alleviate gender inequality, this year's publication features 100 solutions deployed in 188 countries and responds to the global challenges addressed through the SDGs.

"The term 'systemic' often brings to mind intractable problems, such as systemic poverty or systemic corruption. The global goals give us focus and pace, so we think it is time to reclaim the word and talk about systemic opportunity, instead," said Morten Nielsen, Sustainia's managing director.

"The Sustainia100 shows that the most compelling and successful solutions tackle multiple challenges and global goals in one go," he added.

In her foreword to the Sustainia100, Lise Kingo, the executive director of United Nations Global Compact, reflected on the pace and direction set by the SDGs.

"The innovative thinking needed to accomplish the SDGs by 2030 already exists today. Now our task is to spread the word about these transformative solutions in order to help them scale and inspire new actors to take part in forging the path to a more sustainable future."

Since 2012, Sustainia100 has tracked the rise of the circular economy, big data, leapfrog technologies, climate resilience, and community action as some of the most defining trends within sustainable action.

This year's publication also highlights four new trends that stem from the solutions identified, such as making profit from unlikely materials.

"The trends we have noted point to this new era of systemic opportunity ... It's exciting to see global markets respond favorably to this new landscape of sustainable action," Nielsen said.

The 100 solutions in the publication are nominees for the Sustainia Award and the 10 finalists for the award will be announced in September this year.

Sustainia is a global alliance of business and civil society organizations that aims to promote sustainable growth by maturing markets for sustainable products and services, as well as identifying innovative and sustainable solutions. It is supported by partners R20 and UN Global Compact. Endit