LowCarbon.Earth24
We are beyond humbled to be joining the 2024 cohort of startups included in the UNEP funding programme, hosted by the Massive Earth Foundation. At the launch for this years cohort last night, and we heard from:
Mushtaq Memon, Subprogramme Coordinator for Chemicals, Pollution, and Action with the United Nations Environment Programme,
Maria Patdu, Associate Programme Officer who coordinates the Asia Pacific Clean Air Partnership,
Myriem Touhami, Head of the Finance Unit, Climate Change Division of the UNEP,
Vinutha Raju who is the VP of Investments at the Climate Angels Fund, and
Shailesh Vickram Singh, Founder of the Massive Earth Foundation.
We also heard from the other 59 startups doing outstanding things in the climate and sustainability space. HazEL is among 60 startups selected out of ~500 applicants across the Asia Pacific region. The programme is a fast track accelerator designed to connect innovators and investors, to address key climate issues.
The reason HazEL is in the cohort is because climate, biodiversity loss and chemical pollution are all interlinked spokes of the triple planetary crises. We have designed simple software that can help the agri-sector reduce chemical harm and enhance regenerative farming.
“Asia and the Pacific is responsible for over half of the global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. As such, the region plays a crucial role to reach the Paris Agreement target of keeping warming under 1.5 degrees Celsius. Climate change is also linked with other environmental issues, such as air pollution. All major air pollutants have an impact on the climate and most share common sources with GHGs, especially related to the combustion of fossil fuels. Without profound changes to these sectors, there is little hope of protecting people and the planet from the impacts of climate change and air pollution. Agri-food sector is also a prominent GHG contributor in the region and it is of outmost importance putting at scale solutions to support the transition to more sustainable consumption and production patterns.
Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises have a crucial role to play, given they comprise 90 percent of businesses and are responsible for more than half of global employment. Startups, through their innovation, can support in building technologies and businesses that can help in emissions mitigation as well as climate adaption.”