Insights and news
Where to find us at the world expo of innovations for the Planet?From January 30th to February 1st, the magnificent and iconic glass roof of the Grand Palais in Paris will host the “the...
How can we build a more sustainable and fair food system to feed the planet while preserving our environment? Fighting climate change is often associated with renewable energy: solar...
Not sure if being part of the 1000 solutions could be useful to your company? Should you take the time to apply? What are the benefits of the Solar Impulse Label? Here are a few arguments to...
This joint Opinion Editorial is written by Anne Rigail, Chief Executive Officer of Air France, and Bertrand Piccard, Chairman of the Solar Impulse Foundation. It was originally published in Le...
Circular economy, applied to the aeronautic industry “In nature nothing is lost, nothing is created, everything is transformed” once said Antoine Lavoisier, one of the...
This solution is plugged to industrial plants to turn waste heat into CO2-free electricity In order to meet the 1.5°C target of the Paris Agreement,...
In Brussels, SIF Experts gathered at the G-STIC 2019 for one more successful Assessment ChallengeThe Solar Impulse Foundation (SIF) Expert Assessment...
The aim of this partnership is to accelerate the implementation of economically and ecologically viable solutions in the aviation industry. Air France and the Solar Impulse Foundation are...
In two days, I have covered 778 kilometers, emitting nothing more than water vapor. I drove through two countries – France and Luxembourg – driving a hydrogen car, a standard Hyundai Nexo. I...
An easy, transparent way for companies to compensate carbon emissions. While reduction of our carbon emissions is imperative in order to meet the Paris Agreement and...
This solution can light interiors with no electricity. In the fight against climate change, the most efficient solutions are not necessarily the most complex ones....
The politicians and industry leaders offended by Greta Thunberg's call for us to “listen to the science” are not just responsible for the inaction in the face of the climate crisis, they...
Pour la plupart, les politiciens et industriels qui s’offusquent du discours de Greta ne sont pas seulement les responsables de l’immobilisme face à la crise climatique. Ils sont aussi ceux...
For the first time, Lausanne hosted our Experts Challenge event. The Olympic Museum’s walls are covered with pictures of the greatest olympic athletes of all time: from Usain Bolt to...
A new way to grow leafy vegetables, reducing water consumption, carbon emissions with no pesticides. Food waste is not only one of the world’s biggest environmental...
C’était tellement évident : à force de négliger l’urgence des problèmes climatiques pour favoriser leurs idéologies personnelles, les partis politiques traditionnels allaient perdre la...
On October 16th, the world’s major players in the plastics industry will gather at K-Fair, “the world’s n°1 trade fair for plastics and rubber” in Düsseldorf, Germany. The event will be...
A solution to reduce waste. Every year, the world generates over 2 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste, mainly composed of food (44%), paper and cardboard (17%),...
The partnership between the two entities is part of a global effort from the world’s biggest luxury goods company to put protection of the environment at the core of its priorities, without...
A Swiss startup has developed a new technology capable of reducing both water and energy consumption. In most developed countries, people take access to water for...
The version of capitalism that has dominated global markets for the last half-century is being rightfully questioned as never before. Whilst over a billion people have been pulled out of...
This solution can drastically reduce both emission and noise pollution in ports.In 2000, the port of Gothenburg was home to a major technological breakthrough in the maritime industry. It was the...
With an entirely new process, from recycling, repairing and treating e-waste disposal, this project creates economic opportunities while protecting the environment. On...
Three years after its final landing in Abu Dhabi (UAE), Solar Impulse, the solar-powered airplane in which Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg flew around the world without a drop...
Three per cent. That is the contribution of the maritime sector to total global carbon emissions. It doesn’t sound all that much for a sector that ensures 90% of world trade and whose ships...
This solution offers an eco-friendly replacement for packaging for retailers and brand owners. The race to find alternatives to plastics is on. The packaging...
Dear President Macron, Excellencies,If I am here today in front of you, it is not because I flew around the world in a solar powered airplane but because I have proof that clean technologies exist...
The explorer and pilot of Solar Impulse has been selected by the French government as one of the representatives of civil society that will address the G7, calling for brave policies that will...
On August 26th, 2019, I will be addressing Heads of States and government officials at the 45th G7 summit, in Biarritz, France. This year's edition will focus on fighting inequality in its...
HomeStove uses waste heat to generate electricity for phone charging or small lights. When Alexander Drummond and Jonathan Cedar, two camping enthusiasts from NYC,...
This solution is safer, offers superior flight endurance, and can carry a larger relative load than conventional drones. Is it a plane? A helicopter? A balloon?...
A new generation of buildings designed to create financial, human and societal value. While residential buildings are mostly full during the evening and night,...
The Swedish cleantech company becomes the first Solar Impulse Efficient Solution to complete an IPO.“Passion is the greatest renewable energy source. Passion is something that can...
A solution to monitor food waste and help chefs adapt their food purchases. Have you ever felt that guilt at a restaurant when you leave your plate half full or send...
This solution turns non-recycled plastic into insulation material. To successfully transition to a sustainable economy, we must move from linear to circular...
This new road is a solution to power road equipment in remote locations.As the world continues on its path to electrification, the energy needs will have doubled by the year 2050. The need for...
Some background on our labelling process and how we ensure its relevance.“Why did you decide to launch a label?” is a question that we get pretty often. And it’s a relevant one, too. After all,...
24 experts met in Munich to assess the solutions who applied for the Solar Impulse Efficient Solution Label. The result of the event will be 28 completed assessments. After the...
Good Tech Lab has decided to explore the frontiers of technology and system entrepreneurship and look at how innovation can help us fight the climate crisis.After 18 months of research,...
This two-seater electric plane, co-founded by Solar Impulse's Co-Founder, CEO and pilot André Borschberg, is a perfect example of how new technologies can help us transition to...
The Solar Impulse Foundation announced a new partnership with Schneider Electric, one of the world’s leading companies in Energy Management, Industrial Automation, and Services, through the...
The noose is tightening around the air transport industry and only airline companies can untie the knot. They would greatly benefit in the end by becoming actors rather than victims of change....
AgRHO S-Boost favors and optimizes water and nutrients absorption by the seed. In the world 33% of all the soils are...
WaveRoller is a device that converts the ocean wave energy into electricity. You have probably spent time watching and listening to the constant movement of waves breaking on the shore....
Interview avec Tony Estanguet, Président du comité d’organisation des JO de Paris 2024 Des événements tels que les Jeux Olympiques, la Coupe du Monde ou la Ligue des Champions attirent...
Interview with Tony Estanguet, President of the Organising Committee of the Paris 2024 Olympic GamesThis article is a translation of interview in french. Read the original...
This solution uses a new process and technology to make sleepers more efficient, reduce waste and create clean energy While innovation, design and technology has transformed most...
This year's World Environment Day is dedicated to one of the world's most pressing issue: air pollution. One morning in March 2015, Parisians woke up to a mysterious scene: the Eiffel Tower...
“Sport has the power to change the world” declared Nelson Mandela in his famous speech at the first Laureus World Sports Awards in Monaco in 2000. Sport has indeed played a major...
From May 27th to 29th, the world’s top clean energy decision-makers will gather in Vancouver for the 10th Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM10) and 4th Mission Innovation (MI-4).During 3...
A waterless toilet installation for isolated and water stressed areas. “This is a container of human waste” said Bill Gates while brandishing a beaker of poo, as...
Could we deal with our carbon emissions challenge by capturing them from industrial facilities or directly from the atmosphere? Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) has gained...
This electric motorcycle mixes mechanics tradition and technological innovation. For the transport sector - which accounted for 14% of global greenhouse gas...
Business solutions to protect our environment and promote inclusive prosperity exist. They simply need to be embraced and supported.This article was originally published by UNCTAD. See...
If you are at VivaTech, don't miss the opportunity to discover our labelled solutions, meet members of our staff and listen to Bertrand Piccard on stage. This week, the entire...
On May 14th 2019, in the Palace of Nations in Geneva, UNCTAD (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development) and the Solar Impulse Foundation will debate the role of start-ups in...
The Solar Impulse Foundation and the European Investment Bank (EIB) have signed a landmark agreement for the provision of financial advisory services to innovative environmental solutions...
The European project was built upon the premise of safeguarding peace by creating the European Coal and Steel Community. Coming as it did in the aftermath of WWII, Robert Schuman’s plan was...
Underwater turbines could provide renewable energy to off-grid communities who rely on fossil fuels. In most of the roughly 11’000 inhabited islands around the world, power supply is a big...
The Belgian region of Wallonia partners with the Solar Impulse Foundation to speed up the 1000 solutions challenge, bring Walloon cleantech solutions to the world and help the region...
Earth’s cornucopia of life has evolved over 550 million years. Along the way, five mass extinction events have caused serious setbacks to life on our planet. The fifth, which was caused by a...
Discovering individual animals, following their movements, identifying and locating animal and plant species, assessing their habitat, and preventing poaching are just a few examples...
This article is published in collaboration with World Economic ForumThe total number of animals has halved since the 1970s in what some scientists have termed the start of Earth’s...
Ambee helps citizens monitor pollution and take actions to avoid the most toxic areasWhat’s the issue?Invented in India to face an ever-increasing air pollution challenge, Ambee is...
This eco-driving coach can help reduce fuel consumption up to 10% What’s the issue?While many topics are still open for discussion, few doubts remain over the fact that cars pollute. First,...
Looking for new opportunities, giving companies the chance to scale, taking financial risks, supporting companies... Cleantech investors have a crucial role to play in the...
The Solar Impulse Efficient Solution Label is now part of the EuroQuity network, enabling its solutions to access an exclusive business partner and investor matching...
E-commerce is now part of our everyday lives. We buy pretty much anything in a matter of seconds with a simple click, and we expect purchases to arrive at our doorstep...
Drones, marketplaces, IoT and sensors, blockchain technologies, artificial intelligence… After having radically transformed our everyday lives, all these...
Today is the 108th International Women’s Day. This year’s theme is “Think Equal, Build Smart, Innovate for Change”, and strongly focuses on the importance of women involvement in climate...
Dear COP24 Negotiators,During these next couple of weeks, in Katowice, Poland, you will have to decide on measures urgently needed to ensure the future quality of life on earth for humanity....
The story behind Lactips is first and foremost about the encounter of two different worlds and two complementary people. Frédéric Prochazka, a researcher...
News — March 01, 2019
Relive the adventure !
Written by Chiara Cosenza
It was March 1st 1999. “Baby One More Time” from Britney Spears was the latest hit playing on the radio and the Nokia 3210 was just released, featuring a Clock, Alarm clock, Calculator and the best mobile game in the World : Snake. In the Swiss Alps, Brian Jones and Bertrand Piccard were...
1000 Solutions — February 28, 2019
Joulia-Inline, the energy-efficient shower technology
Written by Anouk Rieben
In the EU, households represent 25% of the final user’s energy consumption. Within this sector, water heating is the second biggest use of energy after space heating (64.7%), it represents 14.5% of the energy use. Taking a hot shower to wake up in the morning or to relax after a long day is part of our...
1000 Solutions — February 21, 2019
Antismog, reduce air pollution with hydrogen
Written by Tristan Lebleu
For over a century, cars have been the symbol of liberty and progress. Since their invention at the end of the 19th century, passenger vehicles have become an essential part of our lives. An estimated 1.1 billion cars are on the road today, and this figure is set to double by 2040....
News — February 15, 2019
Can growth save our planet ?
Written by Bertrand Piccard - 4 min read
In 1901, Henry Dunant was awarded the first Nobel Peace Prize for the establishment of the International Committee of the Red Cross and the adoption of the Geneva Convention. Yet, this Swiss pioneer of humanitarian right faced fierce opposition from the pacifist movement. They believed that creating an...
1000 Solutions — February 15, 2019
SolarSea, the world’s first floating solar farm
Written by Tristan Lebleu
Picture a pristine white-sand beach, surrounded by a clear-blue turquoise sea, and add a few palm trees. The typical description of a tropical island. Ever wondered how electricity is generated on these little paradise lands? Diesel generators, for the most part. “Diesel generators are...
1000 Solutions — February 08, 2019
Cleancup, fighting plastic pollution one cup at a time
Written by Tristan Lebleu
In November 2018, a dead whale that washed ashore in eastern Indonesia made the headlines and moved public opinion around the world. What was so special about this 31-foot marine mammal? An enormous amount of plastic waste was found in its stomach, including 115 plastic disposable...
Climate Nugget — February 07, 2019
It’s time for fashion to set bold environmental goals
Written by Chiara Cosenza
The industry is being pointed out as one of the main sources of pollution in the World. Materials, processes, a changing and non-traceable value chain, added to our own consumption behaviour are at the origin of a massive problem.Bold sustainability goals have to be set in order to transform the...
News — February 05, 2019
What's up in 2019 for the Solar Impulse Foundation?
Written by Tristan Lebleu
A year ago, we had just launched the World Alliance for Efficient Solutions, which counted only a few Members. A year later, we’ve gathered over 1600 innovators, investors and corporates dedicated to developing, investing in and scaling clean technologies to fast-track the transition to a sustainable...
1000 Solutions — February 01, 2019
iNex Circular, the first circular economy platform for companies
Written by Tristan Lebleu
We produce. We consume. We waste. This linear model of production and consumption has prevailed throughout the 19th and 20th century but has proven to be highly unsustainable. A new model is now emerging to produce goods in a sustainable manner: known as the circular economy, it is described as “a framework...
News — January 25, 2019
US government shutdown is causing long-lasting environmental damage
Written by Tristan Lebleu
National Parks Since December 22nd 2018, many National Parks have been left open and completely unattended, which may lead to long-lasting damage in the United States’ national outdoor treasures. On the National Park Service website, the organization states “for most parks, there will be no National Park...
1000 Solutions — January 23, 2019
Ocean&Forest, cleaning your clothes and dishes while protecting the...
Written by Tristan Lebleu
In June 2007, the coastal population of the Taihu Lake, in the Jiangsu province, woke up to a dreadful scene. China’s third largest freshwater lake had turned green. A thick cover of algae covered the entire lake, affecting the water resource of over 2 million people living on its shores. 12 years later,...
News — January 23, 2019
Davos 2019: 5 leaders taking action to safeguard the planet
Written by Tristan Lebleu
“For the 4th year in a row, the World Economic Forum has named the climate crisis the n°1 threat to the global economy” stated Al Gore in his introduction of the event. Leaders all around the world are now conscious of the seriousness of the menace that the environmental crisis poses to their...
Guest Post — January 07, 2019
Guest Post: "Five ways the travel industry is becoming more...
Written by Jens Wohltorf
A study spanning 160 countries found that the tourism industry’s carbon emissions have grown leaps and bounds over previous estimates, and now comprise 8% of global emissions. So, what can travel companies do about it? At every step of the traveller’s journey, companies are finding new solutions to make their...
News — December 20, 2018
The hidden success of COP24
Written by Bertrand Piccard
Was COP24 a success? Are the decisions taken up to the challenge? Have the states been ambitious enough? For several days now, everyone has been carrying out an in-depth analysis of the results of the last COP, which was held in Poland. For my part, I spent nearly two weeks at the heart of the climate...
Interviews — December 19, 2018
"Financial return and impact are compatible", interview with...
Written by Tristan Lebleu
Bertrand Badré knows the world of finance inside out. For nearly 20 years he has discovered all its facets: the major banks, as CFO at Société Générale and Crédit Agricole, but also international financial organisations, as Managing Director of the World Bank and CFO of the World Bank Group. Bertrand Badré is...