High-tech trees for clean air
World Health Organisation figures show that over 90% of people live in areas where air quality does not meet the standards set in its guidelines. With EU support, German start-up Green City Solutions has developed City Tree – a smart air filter made of moss. It ensures cleaner and cooler air in places with no green space.
Rooftop greenhouses to cut CO2
A big idea can grow from a small seed. This is why the EU invests in innovative projects like GROOF. Their approach to reduce emissions from buildings and transport by combining energy sharing and local food production. Partially funded by the EU with a grant of €2.9 million, it will build 4 rooftop greenhouses in 4 countries – Luxembourg, Belgium, France and Germany – which together will save around 54 tons of CO2 emissions a year.
Drones against marine litter
Over 8 billion kilos of plastic pollute our oceans each year as a result of littering on beaches alone. One possible way to stop this: the LitterDrone. Outfitted with high precision cameras, they capture images of beaches which are then analysed to prevent and combat the accumulation of marine litter. Thanks to the support of the European Commission, the University of Vigo got the chance to develop LitterDrone with the collaboration of the Spanish Marine Litter Association and the engineering technology firm Grafinta.
