Category Clever Ideas

Finland is pioneering the use of heated sand as a large-scale energy storage system, decarbonising industrial heat with one of Earth's most ordinary materials.

Norway has reached 97 percent electric vehicle sales, with EVs now outnumbering diesel cars on the road for the first time in the country's history.

Four Dutch research consortia have started projects on how existing buildings can be renovated for climate resilience, comfort and lower environmental impact.

Sweden continues to present itself as a sustainability pioneer, with a large fossil-free energy share, strong environmental institutions and a focus on circular solutions.

Impact Fund Denmark invested DKK 130 million in The Reforestation Fund, a large forest restoration fund focused on former rainforest areas in South America.

Conservation groups and local authorities in Spain found that simple netting can sharply reduce bird collisions with glass padel courts near sensitive habitats.

Dutch research funder NWO awarded four consortia to study how existing buildings in the Netherlands can be renovated for climate resilience and sustainability.

Portugal’s Camões Institute and the Aga Khan Foundation are supporting a coastal resilience initiative in Kenya that includes mangrove restoration and community monitoring.

The nonprofit search engine Ecosia has reported reaching 250 million trees planted through projects in many regions, a milestone built from everyday internet searches.

A Hungarian innovation is using difficult waste streams to create lightweight concrete for paving and other construction uses.