Urban mining is a crucial concept within the circular economy. By recovering valuable materials from waste, this can be reintroduced into the production chain. What used to be waste now becomes a raw material, which in turn helps to reduce the exploitation of natural mines. It also benefits the supply chain as the raw material is closer to the place where it will be used.

Energy grids are not going only in one direction as they first were when created, but they are now being upgraded to be able to match bi-directional energy supply to energy demand. This new approach is a factor that facilitates a system to be decentralized, whether it is connected to the grid or goes completely off-grid. 

During the last 50 years a rapid increase in urbanization has taken place all around the world. The question of how to feed future cities is a particularly interesting one. Big populations require equally big amounts of food. The challenge lies in feeding the increasing amount of people whilst ensuring minimal impact on the environment.

Despite making up 48% of the global labour force, women only account for 22% of the labour force in the oil and gas sector and 32% in renewables. And there are only 33% of female senior officials and managers in the energy sector in the European Union, no surprise why men would say “Women are like oxygen: less and less as you go upward”.

It is expected that by 2025 sales of EVs will hit 10% of global passenger vehicle sales this would then rise to 28% in 2030. By 2040 this number is estimated to be 58% of all vehicle sales. One thing is for sure the future is electric and it will catch up on us sooner or later.

Biophilic designed buildings integrate the use of natural landscape features, patterns, and colors that create a more productive and pleasant environment.

Incorporating rainwater management systems as the primary source of water to our households and buildings can help to mitigate the water crisis that we will shortly start facing.

It’s 2021, it’s time to start living on an ecological budget.

As years go by, human impact on Earth has exceeded the available natural resources from agricultural land, livestock, and aquatic ecosystems, which translates into our Ecological Footprint.

By incorporating accessible-city features, the sense of belonging in the citizens will increase, and consequently it would be a more happy place to live. Have you identified elements that make your city inclusive? Is your city made for everybody?

Bioclimatic Strategies could help the built environment to be more climate-friendly, reduce energy requirements, and decrease the use of non-renewable materials and deforestation. Green construction provides a 26% reduction in energy use, 33% less carbon dioxide emissions, and a 13% reduction in maintenance costs.

Achieving Net-Zero and transforming our urban areas into Carbon-Free Cities is an effort that involves everyone. We need to implement solutions that are reliable, accessible, and affordable for all. Ensuring an energy transition is vital. Implementing social and political drivers as well as climate finance and carbon pricing is also a way to accelerate this transformation.

Noise plays a major role in our behavior. The integration of sociological elements and aesthetic aspects in cities could shape the acoustic urban environment.

#soundscape #noisepollution #urbanenvironment #urbanplanning #sustainability

1 in 7 people still do not have access to electricity and most of them live in rural areas of the developing world.

#energyaccess #ruralelectrification #humandevelopment #economicdevelopment #sustainabledevelopment

When we hear the term sustainable buildings we usually think of something environmental-friendly with innovative materials and a lot of plants. However, green buildings are the result of the combination of three elements which are defined as The Triple Bottom Line and involve environmental, economic, and social factors.

Prosumers strengthen the energy transition to achieve a decentralized power system and will boost the energy revolution by ensuring energy security, decarbonization, and resilience.

Countries are in need of solid electric grids with not only new technology but with regulatory innovation, that accelerates the implementation of solutions such as energy storage systems.