Biofuel for the aeronautical industry: What are the pros, cons, and impact on cities?
Author | Lucía Burbano Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is widely regarded as the most realistic alternative for decarbonizing the aviation sector, which is responsible for 12% of CO2 emissions in transportation and 2% of global CO2 emissions. The construction of biofuel production plants is becoming increasingly common in the aeronautical sector, presenting both potential solutions […]
Empty offices are costing cities a fortune (and how some are fighting to change this disastrous situation)
Author | Elvira Esparza Mandatory remote working imposed by COVID in 2020 continues to leave a lasting impact on office spaces. Although in-person and hybrid working models have resumed, office occupancy levels remain significantly below those seen prior to the pandemic. Empty offices are projected to continue inflicting significant economic losses on cities. The solution […]
Oceanix in Busan, the world’s first prototype of a resilient and sustainable floating community
Author | Lucía Burbano The world’s rising sea levels have highlighted the urgent need for innovative urban models to address the vulnerabilities faced by 90% of megacities, according to UN Habitat. Climate change, driving rising sea levels that endanger coastal cities, could displace approximately 200 million people annually until 2050. In this scenario, the future […]
AI and small countries: How Rwanda and Singapore aim to achieve remarkable results despite their limited geographic size
Author | Raquel C. Pico Despite the numerous potential benefits of artificial intelligence, not all economies and market players are on equal footing in the race to harness its potential. The playing field is far from level: only a handful of countries, and within them a select group of companies, lead the development of AI, […]
Tallinn, Estonia, wants to replace landfilling with circular economy
Author | Elvira Esparza Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, is renowned for its well-preserved medieval architecture and its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. However, beyond its historical charm, Tallinn is also deeply committed to environmental sustainability, a dedication that earned it the title of European Green Capital in 2023. Tallinn earned this recognition […]
How London’s electric buses are reducing the city’s carbon footprint
Author | Elvira Esparza London has the largest fleet of zero-emission buses in Europe, with over 1,300 electric buses forming part of its extensive fleet of 9,000 vehicles. The goal is for all buses in London to be zero-emission by 2030, requiring the replacement of an average of 1,000 conventional buses annually. Transport for London […]
Drones to the rescue: How these devices are easing the impact of hurricanes and other disasters
Author | Elvira Esparza The use of drones in disasters such as floods, fires, earthquakes, and hurricanes has enabled efficient mapping of damage, accelerated search operations, facilitated survivor rescues, and allowed for rapid assessment of infrastructure conditions. However, regulatory and capacity limitations pose challenges, preventing the full utilization of drones in disaster response efforts. Originally […]
Dubai’s innovative urban cooling technology: How district cooling works
Author | Lucía Burbano Beyond waste management or pedestrianizing streets, cities in extreme environments face the unique challenge of providing reliable heating or cooling for public and private buildings. This can be achieved through renewable energy sources or innovative methods like recycling waste. In cities like Stockholm or New York, strategies center on combating cold […]
A quick overview of the leading initiatives driving the deployment of robotaxis for the streets of tomorrow
Author | Lucía Burbano In 2019, Elon Musk confidently told investors, “I feel very confident predicting autonomous robotaxis for Tesla next year.” “They won’t be in all jurisdictions, because we won’t have regulatory approval everywhere, but I am confident we will have at least regulatory approval somewhere, literally next year,” he added. Six years later, […]
South Korea is studying marine carbon capture: What is this technology and what are its applications?
Authors | Elvira Esparza and Lucía Burbano South Korea has outfitted the 2,200 TEU vessel HMM Mongla, with advanced onboard carbon capture systems. This pioneering project is a collaboration among major industry players, including Samsung Heavy Industries, Hyundai Marine Solutions, Panasia, and Korea Register. With this initiative, the Korean government plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions […]