Technology meets Sustainability - #SwissTech Series
What are sustainable technologies ?
Sustainable technology - also referred to as impact-driven companies - is an umbrella term which describes technologies that consider natural resources and nurture economic and social development. The goal of these technologies is to drastically reduce environmental and ecological risks and to create a sustainable product. Innovating in a sustainable way can be geared towards three different objectives: Substitute the natural resources required for a more sustainable one, prevent the use or deterioration of these resources, or make a more efficient use of these resources.
The most well know of these technologies are of course solar panels, but they have now been outpaced in terms of innovation creativity by other areas of sustainability dedicated to limit the human impact on the planet, and overall improve our quality of life.
What impact can these technologies have ?
Sustainable technologies can be applied to virtually every aspect of our lives, and to most industries. They thus can have a significant impact on the planet, as well as on the new innovation normal. Sustainable environmental technology has the potential to transform how businesses and public systems operate. Sustainable technology are geared to minimize any negative social and environmental impacts, which is good for a business’s bottom line, as well as its reputation. That is not to say that it should be done for the reputation, as otherwise that would be called greenwashing.
The World Economic Forum (WEF) even recognized that the Internet of Things (IoT) will have a sizeable contribution to meeting the UN’s sustainable development goals! The internet of things enables the creation of an ecosystem of sensors, appliances, and devices that interact with internet and each other in order to continuously collect, track, and monitor data, and how it can then be used to assist in the monitoring of compliance with sustainability targets.
What are the latest trends ?
While many of these technologies are intertwined with electricity, its production, storage or consumption, many efforts have been placed on recycling - in a large sense - as well as smart agriculture, to only mention a few.
Energy production, storage, and consumption are - and have been - for a while the most important trend in sustainable technology, from smart lighting to better storage and optimized consumption.
Plant-based food is now past the vegan trend. They have earned top spot on restaurant menus, and top shelf space at large retail stores.
The rise of Microgrids. They provide access to a secure and reliable power supply for a growing population—even in regions with power scarcity.
Intelligent automation in manufacturing, which improves the efficiency of the production from an energy and waste perspective.
Work management automation: Centralised technologies such as automation platforms enable companies to be distributive, maximising productivity without leaving their home.
Are there Swiss companies active in this field?
Absolutely! And they are leading global trends! Let’s take a look at these Swiss trailblazers:
Kitro is an innovative Swiss company which focuses on preventing food waste using AI and image recognition to analyse the content of a garbage can and provide real time analysis. Particularly interesting for restaurants and hotels, this solution is 100% Swiss made!
Climeworks and Myclimate are two Zurich-based companies offering solutions to offset our carbon emission when travelling or simply engage in everyday activities. While Myclimate calculates your emissions and facilitates the funding of sustainable projects through your subscriptions, Climeworks actually owns a technology which aspires the carbon from the air, and your subscription funds their operations.
Happy Genie on their end produce stylish and multifunctional bags made from apples fibres, designed in Switzerland and handcrafted in Italy.
Looking for an innovative way to recycle plastic? DePoly provides an efficient approach to recycling PET and other plastics with less energy, and immediately re-produce new material out of it.
Last but not least, we really like the approach from iWin, based in Lugano, offering venetian blinds working as solar panels. This effectively allowing to style your interior, while collecting solar energy, without having an external installation.
As usual, with the vibrant scene of sustainable technology, it would be impossible to represent every company. If you feel we have left out a key example of Swiss Sustainable Tech, please do let us know in the comments.
Next up : FinTech
Represent a Swiss Tech company or organization and want to participate? Get in touch with us!
Have a comment? Please use the box below!
