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Partnerships/Networks

GLOBAL ALLIANCE FOR BANKING ON VALUES

The Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV) is a network of banks aiming to use finance to deliver sustainable development for people, communities and the environment. Founded by BRAC Bank in Bangladesh, ShoreBank in the US and Triodos Bank in the Netherlands, members must be independent and licensed banks with a focus on retail customers, hold a minimum balance sheet of $50 million, and show commitment to social banking and the triple bottom line of people, planet and profit. With total assets of $26 billion, GABV has the power to make a difference.

Benefits: All
Innovators: The Global Alliance for Banking on Values, Triodos Bank, BRAC Bank, ShoreBank

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Watch a video of Triodos taking over Times Square

INDUSTRIAL SYMBIOSIS – MUTUALLY PROFITABLE RESOURCE SHARING

One company’s waste can be another’s raw material. Instead of paying to send 500 tonnes of sand from its foundry to landfill, MJ Allen sent the sand to Hanson, which used it in asphalt manufacturing.

The businesses are both part of the National Industrial Symbiosis Partnership (NISP). Industrial Symbiosis programmes facilitate partnerships that generate mutual value where members exchange materials, energy, water and by-products and share assets, logistics and expertise. Since 2005, NISP members have saved £780m, used 47 million tonnes less water, and reduced CO₂ emissions by 30 million tonnes.

Benefits: reduce, reuse, recycle; carbon reduction; water efficiency; energy efficiency
Innovators: National Industrial Symbiosis Programme

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OPEN SHARING OF PATENTS

The rubber used in Nike’s footwear uses 98% less toxins than traditional methods. Yet, it doesn’t have to be just Nike that benefits from this innovative approach. Its intellectual property can be shared to other markets where the rubber can be used for bicycle inner tubes for example, helping others to bring greener products and business models to market.

Greenxchange is a web-based marketplace where companies can collaborate and share intellectual property (IP) which can lead to new sustainability business models and encourage open innovation.

Benefits: reduce, reuse, recycle, energy efficiency, water efficiency, carbon reduction
Innovators: Greenxchange

MIMICKING NATURE IN DESIGN

An increasingly popular process, known as biomimicry, is taking inspiration from nature’s genius to improve the way buildings and many products are designed. For example, the design of marine turbine blades was inspired by the shape of a humpback whale’s flipper. Nature offers billions of years of design ideas that can be replicated to solve human challenges.

AskNature has developed a comprehensive, free online database of biomimicry ideas for designers and engineers. It also provides advice to encourage the application of sustainability principles throughout the life-cycle of any product or project.

Benefits: biodiversity; carbon reduction, water efficiency, energy generation
Innovators: AskNature; Biomimicry Institute

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REDUCING CARBON AND BUILDING VALUE IN PROPERTY PORTFOLIOS

Greenprint Foundation is a worldwide alliance of leading real estate owners, investors and financial institutions that provide carbon reduction strategies to the property sector to create value in their portfolios for tenants and investors.

The built environment is responsible for a third of global greenhouse gas emissions. Greenprint Foundation uses cross-sector collaboration to catalyse change by giving members access to latest technologies from lighting, smart meters to environmental management systems. Its future projects include green leases, new-build comissioning, regulatory trends and procurement to create a one-stop shop for sustainable solutions.

Benefits: carbon reduction
Innovators: Greenprint Foundation

INDUSTRIAL SYMBIOSIS WEB-PLATFORM

Industrial symbiosis involves different businesses and industries working together to turn waste into a resource. This avoids disposal costs, cuts spending on new raw materials and reduces CO₂ emissions. International Synergies, a firm which specialises in designing industrial symbiosis systems and tools, has developed SYNERGie, a web-platform for sharing industrial symbiosis examples and innovation around the world. The project’s partnerships have diverted an estimated 500,000 tonnes of waste from landfill and cut CO₂ emissions by 142,900 tonnes. Industrial symbiosis projects like this have huge untapped opportunity to cut waste and save energy around the world.

Benefits: reduce, reuse, recycle
Innovators: International Synergies

LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR HYBRID BUSINESSES

‘Benefit corporation’ laws enacted by US states such as Maryland create a new legal status for organisations that wish to pursue environmental or social goals in tandem with shareholder returns. Organisations incorporating as a benefit corporation must report to shareholders on progress towards their environmental or social goals with the same standards and rigour used in their financial reporting. This legal status also provides assurance to investors that an organisation with an environmental mission will continue to pursue its goals regardless of changes to ownership or management.

Benefits: All
Innovators: B Labs

CUSTOMER WATER CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIP

Thames Water, the UK’s largest water and sewage company, serving 14 million customers, has partnered with British Gas subsidiary, Dyno Plumbing to help households cut water consumption. Dyno Plumbing installs water-saving devices provided by the Thames Water during call outs. These can cut customer water consumption by 25% and annual water and energy bills by up to £75. This pilot scheme is an unusual, but potentially effective, partnership between sectors to improve water efficiency.