Can straws be biodegradable? This is what Dunkin’ Donuts believe with the straw solution made out of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) a biodegradable polyester created by using bacterial fermentation without requiring an industrial facility and won’t last in the ocean.
Can the energy sector become net zero carbon by 2050? This is what Fatih Biol, the Executive Director of International Energy Agency (IEA), believes. The agency will be publishing a roadmap in May to help the global industry reach net-zero emissions by 2050.
Will airlines achieve zero CO2 emissions? Both Airbus and Boeing believes that is possible. Airbus is designing a turboprop hydrogen jet by 2035, meant to carry ~100 passengers for a distance of 1,000 nautical miles (roughly from Rome to Dublin). While Boeing is focusing on producing commercial aircrafts that will be certified to fly with 100% sustainable fuels by 2030. In either way, the high CO2 emissions currently associated with air travel could be transforming dramatically.
How is Europe doing in the global race for hydrogen power? It appears very well, as Europe is leading in the number of hydrogen-related projects and investments. The European Union has made hydrogen a key plank in its aim to eliminate its GHG emissions by 2050, with plans to install 40GW of electroysers (equipment to produce emission-free hydrogen from water and renewable power). Timeline is over the next 10 years.
Do consumers care about the environment when making purchases? Yes, according to a study from global management and consulting firm, AT Kearney. In 2019, 71% of consumers considered the environment at least occasionally when making a purchase. This percentage increased to 83% in 2020, even under the pandemic conditions.
How to create more space for solar panels? By building a solar farm in the Swiss mountains. The power plant is located on Lac des Toules in Valais, at an altitude of 1,800m. The project won the Swiss, Watt d’Or prize, as the best in renewable energy innovation in 2020.