GreenPath
Project Idea Metadata
- Project Idea Name: GreenPath
- Date: 4/8/2024 12:47:11 PM
- Administrators:
Project Idea Description
GreenPath - Cradle-to-Cradle Enabler for the Mobility Industry
Challenge:
The core issue we aim to address with our initiative revolves around the fragmented and unsustainable practices in analyzing the ecological footprint of vehicles. Presently, businesses and consumers face a significant challenge due to the lack of a comprehensive and valid Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA). This fragmentation in sustainability analysis leaves a gap in understanding the true environmental impact of vehicles. Furthermore, sustainability efforts tend to be overly concentrated on the usage phase of vehicles, inadvertently shifting the responsibility onto consumers and overlooking the broader spectrum of environmental impact. This approach neglects the essential Cradle-to-Cradle perspective, hindering the adoption of circular business models and depriving companies of a holistic view of a vehicle's entire lifecycle. Additionally, the current emphasis is predominantly on adhering to regulatory compliance and standards rather than proactively encouraging sustainable practices.
Benefits:
GreenPath's innovative solution benefits the environment, economy, and society, focusing on a comprehensive lifecycle approach and the power of collaboration:
- Planet: Our approach tackles the ecological impact of vehicles from their inception to disposal, promoting a shift towards a circular economy. This not only minimizes the environmental footprint but also fosters a more sustainable interaction with our planet.
- Prosperity: By encouraging cooperation among raw material suppliers, manufacturers, users, and recyclers, GreenPath creates a unified front. This collaboration brings transparency and synergy, leading to significant advancements in sustainability. The collective effort enhances competitiveness and sustainability in the business model, appealing to eco-conscious consumers and investors by reducing costs and improving environmental performance.
- People: Our comprehensive strategy empowers individuals to make informed, responsible decisions regarding vehicle usage and disposal. By providing scientifically backed insights rather than relying on ideological positions, GreenPath enables consumers to make choices that are both beneficial to the environment and aligned with their values. This approach promotes a healthier, more sustainable living environment, benefiting communities and fostering a culture of informed and conscientious decision-making."
Team & Network:
Lead: Dr. Arik Roeschke, an entrepreneur and researcher/lecturer at the University of St.Gallen, serves as the Secretary-General of the Swiss Investor Protection Association. Network: Our network comprises expert teams from automotive, mobility, consultancy, production, and finance sectors. Research: We collaborate closely with the University of St.Gallen, particularly with CSI-HSG, which specializes in sustainability innovations. Our team is dynamic and continuously expanding, embracing cross-sector collaborations for impactful results. Together, we are fully equipped to confront the challenges ahead and drive forward innovation in our field.
Positive Environmental Impact:
GreenPath's approach significantly addresses the environmental footprint of vehicles, from their initial production to final disposal, urging a transition towards a more circular economy. This initiative not only aims to drastically lessen environmental degradation but also aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations:
- Material Efficiency: By fostering the efficient utilization and increased reusability of vehicle components, GreenPath actively reduces the demand for new raw materials, mitigating the adverse effects of resource extraction. This directly supports SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by promoting sustainable resource and energy use.
- Enhanced Circularity: Our encouragement of cooperation among all parties involved in the vehicle lifecycle — from raw material suppliers and manufacturers to users and recyclers — not only augments the circularity and sustainability of vehicles but also fine-tunes recycling processes. By refining sorting, separation, and material recovery methods, we lessen the environmental impact of recycling activities, thereby contributing to SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) by fostering innovation in recycling technologies and making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
- CO2 Emission Reduction: Advocating for a comprehensive perspective on the lifecycle of vehicles enables our strategy to significantly curtail CO2 emissions across all stages, from production to disposal. This effort directly supports SDG 13 (Climate Action) by taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
Furthermore, the core of GreenPath's methodology — collaboration among diverse stakeholders — embodies SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), emphasizing the importance of revitalizing global partnerships to achieve sustainable development. Through these integrated efforts, GreenPath aspires to forge a path toward environmental sustainability, economic prosperity, and societal well-being, in alignment with the United Nations' SDGs
Current stage:
In its initial phase, GreenPath is planning to develop and test various potential features. To support this endeavor, we've built a network that brings together diverse experts and partners, and we're continuously expanding it to gain a wider array of insights.
- Label and Score System: We plan to develop a real-time rating system that will assess the ecological footprint and recycling potential of vehicles. This will also involve evaluating the current and future values of vehicle materials to encourage sustainable practices.
- Cradle-to-Cradle Support: Our initiative aims to promote the reintroduction of materials into the manufacturing process, supporting circular business models and reducing environmental impacts.
Booster Added Value for the project:
Throughout the booster, GreenPath is committed to tackling the complex challenges of sustainable vehicle lifecycle management. Our main goal is to conduct a feasibility study and map out the value stream, providing a solid foundation for future development and implementation. Here's how we plan to approach this:
Conducting a Feasibility Study: A significant portion of our efforts will be dedicated to assessing the viability of our innovative approach to vehicle lifecycle management. This study will evaluate the ecological, economic, and social impacts of implementing our proposed solutions, including the real-time rating system for ecological footprints and the promotion of circular economy principles through cradle-to-cradle support.
Mapping the Value Stream: We aim to comprehensively understand and document the value stream involved in vehicle lifecycle management. This involves identifying all stakeholders, processes, and resources from production to disposal. By mapping this value stream, we'll identify opportunities for optimization, waste reduction, and enhanced collaboration among all parties involved.
Expectations of the booster:
From the booster program, GreenPath has specific expectations geared towards advancing our initiative on sustainable vehicle lifecycle management:
Access to Expert Support: We anticipate guidance from specialists in areas pivotal to our mission, including the circular economy, sustainable mobility, and environmental science. These experts will be crucial in refining our methodologies, particularly our feasibility study and value stream mapping, ensuring that our approach is both innovative and grounded in practicality.
Networking Opportunities: We aim to forge connections with like-minded startups, potential investors, and key industry stakeholders focused on sustainability. Networking is expected to catalyze valuable partnerships and open avenues for collaborative innovation, facilitating the exchange of ideas and bolstering our initiative’s impact.
Access to Resources: The booster is seen as a vital source of essential resources — from funding and mentorship to specialized training. These resources are critical for the development and scaling of our solutions, honing our business model, and enhancing our operational capabilities.
Looking for Specific Partners: Our search for specific partners is twofold; firstly, partners offering access to necessary infrastructure such as vehicle manufacturing sites, recycling centers, and more. Secondly, market access partners, including automotive companies, environmental organizations, and others within the value chain, who can aid in the practical implementation and scaling of our solutions
3rd Party funding:
GreenPath will leverage our robust network within the finance and investment sectors to attract third-party funding. Highlighting our project's alignment with sustainability and innovation goals, we aim to engage investors who are actively seeking opportunities with significant environmental impact and potential for economic returns.
GreenPath encapsulates a pioneering initiative aimed at transforming the mobility sector through sustainable and circular practices. Addressing the critical challenge of fragmented Life-Cycle Assessments (LCAs), we seek to provide an understanding of the ecological footprint of vehicles, fostering a shift towards circular economy principles (cradle-to-cradle), aiming to develop and test innovative features such as a real-time rating system for ecological impact and recycling potential.