Newsletter

The green economy already offers valuable opportunities for small businesses and entrepreneurs.

According to the report State of Green Business 2016, by GreenBiz and Trucost, these are the 10 major trends in the green economy to be taken into account by savers who wish to bet their money on this new economic model.

The circular economy

This is one of the most important trends in the green economy. It has become the ultimate goal of more and more companies. It aims at changing from a linear economy based on producing, using and throwing away to a circular model in which both material input and waste generation are reduced. In other words, resources are reused to avoid the extraction of new resources and the generation of waste.

Responsible purchasing

They have come to the fore in recent years. Now the suppliers of companies must also be accountable to society and the environment. Not for nothing is deforestation closely linked to food and consumer goods, while minerals such as cobalt, used in mobile phones, are a cause of conflict in some Third World countries. But tracing the origin of each of the materials and components of an end product like a smartphone is very complex without the help of new technologies. These also serve to make the extraction, transport and handling of resources more efficient, reducing the environmental impact of the activity.

Green infrastructure

Green infrastructure is taking root. These are roads, bridges, transportation facilities such as railways or subways, water management systems, buildings, energy generation systems... that take much more into account their impact on the environment. The aim is not only to minimize possible negative impacts, but also to maximize resilience by utilizing the strengths of nature.

The mining industry

This industry does not enjoy a good reputation, which has led the sector to seek cleaner solutions. Increasing efforts have been made towards more responsible mining, implementing more environmentally friendly technologies. Biodiversity protection programmes have also been implemented around mining sites. On the other hand, this industry is characterized by its high energy requirements, so it is betting on renewable energies and energy efficiency.

Sustainable agriculture

It is becoming a demand from more and more consumers in developed countries. The best known aspect is organic production and yet this is still a minority in terms of production and consumption. However, sustainable agriculture also implies a new methodology, a new way of doing things. In recent years, regenerative agriculture is gaining ground, using techniques that reduce environmental damage and then intervening in the environment to restore it. Technology is the key to making this metamorphosis a reality.

Carbon capture and recycling

Carbon capture and recycling is possible. A small but growing number of companies are launching projects to convert the carbon captured in factories and power plants into products such as plastic or cement, among others. In addition to avoiding the emission of greenhouse gases, it turns out that carbon is an economical material that gives the final product greater strength and durability.

Business culture endorses sustainability

As one of Facebook's latest incentives to its workers shows: a $10,000 pay-out for those who move near the corporate campus. More and more companies are incorporating sustainability goals into their corporate culture and also offering incentives or benefits to employees to join the company's philosophy.

The local renewable energy revolution

This is another big trend in the green economy. This revolution is bringing electricity to rural communities in remote areas, which have never had access to it before, contributing greatly to their economic development. In India alone, an estimated 400 million people have no access to electricity. The potential for growth is enormous. Technological advances, which are key to bringing the production costs of wind and solar power down to current levels, and phenomena such as the so-called internet of things, are behind this revolution.

The collaborative economy

The collaborative economy is not only between individuals, there is also the version for companies (the collaborative economy between companies), and the latter could soon eclipse the former. Cargomatic, for example, connects carriers with cargo. For hauliers, who sometimes drive empty vans to their next pickup, it means making more of the journey. For shipping companies, it means the opportunity to lower shipping costs and provide better service. And then there are the benefits to the environment, by reducing the number of trips. The business-to-business sharing economy is not only applicable to the transport of goods, it also serves to share unused office space, storage space, agricultural machinery, work and service equipment, commercial space...

The blue economy

The blue economy seeks to get more out of the oceans while trying to protect them. They make up a vast territory that occupies 70% of the planet's surface and of which little is known. Many sectors depend on the oceans: fishing, transport, tourism, leisure, extraction of raw materials... Having more information about the oceans would mean improvements in management, reduce costs, increase efficiency, stimulate innovation and open access to new markets and capital flows. However, a true blue economy must do more than prevent and minimize damage to the marine ecosystem. It must drive new business opportunities that monitor the health of the oceans, promote ecotourism, prevent degradation and protect marine habitats, among other actions.

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