Please describe your proposed solution.
Why Geneva?
Geneva is a very unique ecosystem hosting major UN agencies, international organizations (IOs), non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other stakeholders engaged in driving the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDGs 12 and 13. Climate change is humanity's greatest challenge and it is time to tackle it together; it cannot be addressed in silos anymore, as it touches upon all aspects of our lives.
Issues of lack of transparency in carbon emissions through supply chains increase the difficulty of measuring and reducing carbon emissions. Blockchain has the potential to revolutionize climate action - e.g. through a transparent measurement and traceability of carbon emissions - leveraging its three core pillars: transparency, decentralization, and immutability. We aim at raising awareness on the potential of blockchain for climate action and connect blockchain platforms with a diverse range of actors within the Geneva ecosystem. Through Impact Hub Geneva’s expertise in sustainability and circular economy and its access to Geneva’s both local and international ecosystems, including UN entities, potential partnerships and synergies will be enhanced.
How does Climathon work?
Climathon is a 3-month International Open innovation program, with a powerful 24h solutions-hackathon at its core, creating climate action in the form of tangible projects; supporting climate friendly businesses and start-ups; and addressing local policy changes. Climathon Geneva aims at supporting the Cantonal Climate Plan including by achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. Climathon follows three steps: defining the climate challenges in partnership with interested parties; developing solutions through a co-creation process; providing continuous support to realize the solutions. Climathon opens the doors to participants from university and academia, the UN, IOs, and NGOs, private sector companies and start-ups.
We want to propose a blockchain related challenge to Climathon Geneva, taking place on the 11-12 November 2022, to raise awareness around the potential of blockchain for climate action supporting the finding of innovative solutions for leveraging the transparency provided by blockchain to reduce carbon emissions. This event will bring together representatives from different chains working on climate action (e.g. Climate Neutral Cardano, Climate Collective) and blockchain startups with UN and NGOs, students, and entrepreneurs creating new connections between blockchain communities and external actors.
After the event, the developed solutions can potentially be selected to participate in Impact Hub Geneva’s Circular Economy Incubator program to develop their minimum viable product. Or alternatively, by submitting their proof of concept, projects can register to Impact Hub Geneva’s Kickstart program supporting startups. Regardless, Impact Hub Geneva organizes numerous events during the year for entrepreneurs and startups supporting them in networking and creating partnerships.
Please describe how your proposed solution will address the Challenge that you have submitted it in.
This project will address the challenge of lack of awareness & understanding and innovation & decision-making in two ways. First, by efficiently communicating the potential of blockchain technology for climate action to actors from outside of the Catalyst community and raising awareness around the topic area. This will open the venue for new collaborations between Geneva-based stakeholders and blockchain platforms and startups. Secondly, by creating the right environment for the creation of innovative solutions for the implementation of blockchain for climate action. Proposing new solutions stemming from increased knowledge sharing and with the guidance of representatives from different chains and startups as mentors and experts will open Catalyst to new communities and strengthen it.
Overall benefits:
- Raising awareness outside of the Catalyst community on the use of blockchain for climate action;
- Ideating innovative solutions for the use of blockchain for climate action;
- Expanding the Catalyst community making it known to the Climathon network of people through the challenge and communication;
- Possibility of scaling the solutions developed.
What are the main risks that could prevent you from delivering the project successfully and please explain how you will mitigate each risk?
The main challenge will be finding participants, as it always is for events, however, Climathon is a well established annual occasion with a solid network of people which will be leveraged for communication and marketing.