Welcome to the world’s largest collection of vetted and verified sustainable solutions.
You can either search for sustainable alternatives, browse what’s trending or learn what is happening in new markets. We also invite you to submit your own solutions to be vetted by our network of leading experts (it’s free).
If you are looking to be a leader within your field, we welcome you to apply to become a Partner of The Global Opportunity Explorer.
Finally, if you are a student we encourage you to sign up to become a volunteer with us. Contact us here to learn more of the opportunities.
Rooted in over five years of research involving over 17,000 business leaders and 17 expert panels, the Explorer guides you through hundreds of sustainable solutions and market opportunities which address the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Global Opportunity Explorer is a joint project formed by Sustainia and the UN Global Compact, created on the conviction that the SDGs offer a myriad of business opportunities with great value to companies, society, and the environment. Aside from mapping a world of cutting-edge innovation and new markets, the Explorer aims to help business leaders, entrepreneurs and investors connect with new partners, projects and markets to foster more partnerships for the SDGs and a greener and fairer world by 2030.
The Global Opportunity Explorer also showcases 300 of the most innovative urban climate solutions from cities around the world. The solutions are included in the 2015, 2016, and 2017 editions of the Cities100 reports – a collaboration between C40, Realdania, and Sustainia.
Cities100 shows how cities are using climate action to future-proof against challenges such as extreme weather, air pollution and growing populations in areas including transportation, waste, energy, mitigation, and adaptation.
The first academic institution joined The Global Opportunity Explorer in 2018. BI Norwegian Business School has taken a step forward in becoming the world’s leading business school within sustainable business. In 2019 they were followed by three other universities, and now pave the way for other ambitious universities, business schools, and learning institutions across the globe by bridging the gap between “the knowing and the doing” within sustainability.
Assessment Criteria
To determine whether or not a solution is qualified to claim a spot on Global Opportunity Explorer, we use six assessment criteria:
1. Readily available
Global Opportunity Explorer solutions must be more than just vague ideas or blueprints. Candidates must be or have concrete projects that are making an impact in societies and markets. They must be readily available products or services, meaning they have already done something before and are able to do that same thing again.
2. Commercially viable
Financial sustainability of projects is a key quality for solutions, which should not completely rely on a funding or donation-based business model.
3. Positive environmental impact
Global Opportunity Explorer solutions must have a direct positive impact on climatic or environmental factors, at some scale. There can be challenges and trade offs associated with all companies but overall it must be deemed the solution has a net positive benefit.
4. Improve quality of life
Global Opportunity Explorer solutions are assessed on their ability to deliver a better and more sustainable life for the people impacted by the solution. Solutions should enhance well-being either at an individual or societal level.
5. Innovative
Global Opportunity Explorer solutions should have a certain je ne sais quoi – they should provoke excitement and intrigue through their uniqueness or innovative nature. Innovation is a notoriously difficult property to measure and it is rare to find a product or service that is truly unique, but solutions that offer a product or service that is common-place may not be featured on the Global Opportunity Explorer.
6. Other exclusion criteria
Being part of the following industries: tobacco, pornography, gambling, drugs.
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