Pioneers
Meet some of the passionate activists and innovators inspiring climate action through cutting edge technologies and knowledge sharing.
By United Nations Climate Change Conference COP26
Rolls-Royce / Polestar / Envirofy / Greener NHS, NHS England and NHS Improvement / PPL PWR
To tackle climate change, we need to harness the energy of our greatest innovators and thinkers. Across industries and sectors, pioneers are driving change with the potential to revolutionise our lives. From innovative automobile initiatives from Rolls-Royce, Polestar and even NHS Greener, to green web browsing at Envirofy and knowledge sharing with PPL PWR, change is coming.
Rolls-Royce leading the transition to Net Zero (2021)United Nations Climate Change Conference COP26
Rolls-Royce
We believe in the positive, transforming potential of technology. We pioneer the power that matters. Power that has an impact and is central to the successful functioning of the modern world. To meet the demands of a growing, more connected society, the power that matters must be sustainable power. Our technology will play a fundamental role in enabling the transition to a low carbon global economy.
Rolls-Royce is entering the era of zero-emissions aviation by building the fastest all-electric plane the world has ever seen, the Spirit of Innovation. (2021)United Nations Climate Change Conference COP26
Rolls-Royce
The ‘Spirit of Innovation’ aircraft is the result of a highly specialised collaborative project called ACCEL. Short for “Accelerating the Electrification of Flight”, its mission is to uncover solutions to society’s greatest technological challenges on the path to net zero emissions. And along the way it is breaking new ground in electrification.
The Rolls-Royce all-electric ‘Spirit of Innovation’ takes to the skies for the first time (2021)United Nations Climate Change Conference COP26
Rolls-Royce
A landmark moment and important milestone in the aviation industry's journey towards decarbonisation is met. Propelled by a powerful 400kW (500+hp) electric powertrain with the most power-dense battery pack ever assembled for an aircraft, the plane takes to the skies.
While Rolls Royce are revolutionising aviation by bringing decarbonisation to the skies, a revolution is also taking place on our roads. As Zero Emission Vehicles become more pervasive, they are starting to transform some of our most iconic vehicles.
Initial design of a hydrogen ambulance (2021-10-02) by VCS LimitedUnited Nations Climate Change Conference COP26
Meet the first hydrogen powered ambulance
The NHS is proud to be the world’s first national health system to commit to reaching net zero by 2045. GreenerNHS, with industry, and funded by Innovate UK, has developed the first ever hydrogen/electric double-crewed ambulance prototype.
With new vehicles and new production methods also come new challenges. We also need new models for measuring impact, like this one.
Leave a mark (2021) by PolestarUnited Nations Climate Change Conference COP26
Polestar
Polestar has set out on a mission to improve the society we live in by accelerating the shift to sustainable mobility through cutting-edge technology, innovation, and design. It intends to be transparent with the mark it leaves, every step of the way, until the biggest impact it has on the environment is nothing at all. Zero.
Polestar Product Sustainability Declaration (2021) by PolestarUnited Nations Climate Change Conference COP26
Polestar
While it’s tempting to assume that we can achieve a sustainable and emission-free future by simply getting everyone to drive electric cars, the truth is far more complicated. An industry-wide lack of transparency makes it difficult to understand electric cars’ carbon footprint, and almost impossible to compare cars from different manufacturers.
Transparency (2021) by Wang & SöderströmUnited Nations Climate Change Conference COP26
Polestar
Polestar is leading by example, revealing the lifetime carbon footprint of all our new car models, starting with the Polestar 2, and the full methodology behind it. With its Life Cycle Assessment already showing that Polestar is a climate solution with half the lifetime carbon footprint of a petrol car, if charged with green energy.
Transparency (2021) by Wang & SöderströmUnited Nations Climate Change Conference COP26
Polestar
That’s why Polestar is spearheading a movement for transparency throughout the automotive industry, calling on car makers to find a harmonised way of measuring carbon impact and communicate openly about the true environmental impact of the entire life cycle of electric cars, from production to end-of-life.
Transparency (2021) by Wang & SöderströmUnited Nations Climate Change Conference COP26
Polestar
If a standardised way of measuring carbon impact was adopted across the industry, the impact could be huge. It would also enable consumers to fully understand the impact of electric cars, make conscious purchasing decisions, and motivate them to charge renewably.
Transparency and consumer choice have a huge role to play in the transition to net zero. Innovators like Envirofy are helping consumers make better choices around sustainable food.
Envirofy (2020) by https://favpng.com/png_view/emblem-globe-green-leaf-world-logo-clip-art-png/i2CaMzpXUnited Nations Climate Change Conference COP26
Envirofy
The food sector has a huge impact on climate change. Modifying the way we shop and eat can have a huge positive impact. Envirofy is the first science-based web browser that supports you in sustainable grocery shopping.
How it works (2021) by University of GlasgowUnited Nations Climate Change Conference COP26
Envirofy video
Envirofy is a science-based browser extension that automatically calculates the carbon footprint of products to help consumers make sustainable food choices when shopping online (available in the UK on Tesco and Waitrose).
Innovation also comes down to education and knowledge sharing. PPL PWR are taking engineering from the lab to people, empowering them to live sustainably and hosting discussions to explore how personal choices such as banking can be mobilised to strive for a low-carbon, climate-resilient economy.
Fearless Girl (2017) by Steven GomezUnited Nations Climate Change Conference COP26
PPL PWR
PPL PWR is a collective of humans whose aim is to promote sustainable technologies and innovations, through empowering our members to change the planet in ways they believe will make for a greener, healthier, happier world. We support each other to make the change we want to see – our members share what they are passionate about and to inspire others to take communal action to make the world better. We exist to create a greener world through the power of knowledge.
The Power of Money (2020) by Kevin ChuahUnited Nations Climate Change Conference COP26
PPL PWR
Fund managers don't always play with our money in a responsible way, often prioritizing financial returns over environmental and social concerns. Listen as Kevin Chua, a former fund manager takes a deep dive into the role of fund managers in the investment system, how and why they often don’t hold companies to account on sustainability issues, and what you can do about it.
These sustainability pioneers show grit and inventiveness, demonstrating that it just takes one imaginative idea to spark great change.
Rolls-Royce
Polestar
Envirofy
Greener NHS, NHS England and NHS Improvement
PPL PWR
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views and opinions of the UN Climate Change Conference COP26. The mere appearance of the story on this website does not constitute an endorsement by the UN Climate Change Conference COP26. The UN Climate Change Conference COP26 does not make any representation or warranties with respect to the accuracy, applicability, fitness or completeness of third party material included in the story featured.
