Zuora Climate Action Challenge

SDG 13: Climate Action

The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13 calls for urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. This goal emphasizes the need for global efforts to mitigate climate risks, enhance resilience, and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Your solution should focus on practical, scalable actions that minimize emissions and promote sustainable living.

Challenge Overview

Why It Matters:

Consumption-based strategies can transform how resources and energy are consumed, including:

Energy: Consumption-based energy models, such as Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) encourage users to optimize energy usage by paying only for what they consume. This focus on efficiency reduces energy waste and supports the transition to renewable sources.
Transportation: Transportation-as-a-Service (TaaS) models, such as ride-sharing, carpooling, and bike-sharing, reduce the need for personal car ownership, leading to lower fuel consumption, reduced traffic, and fewer emissions. Pay-per-use electric vehicle (EV) charging services also make it easier for consumers to switch to clean transportation.
Water: Water-as-a-Service (WaaS) models utilize smart technologies like IoT sensors to optimize water usage. Customers are billed based on their consumption, encouraging water conservation, especially in areas facing scarcity.
Waste: Pay-per-use waste collection services charge based on the amount of waste generated, incentivizing reduction. Product-as-a-Service (PaaS) models also promote reuse by designing products intended for multiple uses.

What To Think About:

Consumption-based strategies can transform how resources and energy are consumed, including:

Energy: Consumption-based energy models, such as Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) encourage users to optimize energy usage by paying only for what they consume. This focus on efficiency reduces energy waste and supports the transition to renewable sources.
Transportation: Transportation-as-a-Service (TaaS) models, such as ride-sharing, carpooling, and bike-sharing, reduce the need for personal car ownership, leading to lower fuel consumption, reduced traffic, and fewer emissions. Pay-per-use electric vehicle (EV) charging services also make it easier for consumers to switch to clean transportation.
Water: Water-as-a-Service (WaaS) models utilize smart technologies like IoT sensors to optimize water usage. Customers are billed based on their consumption, encouraging water conservation, especially in areas facing scarcity.
Waste: Pay-per-use waste collection services charge based on the amount of waste generated, incentivizing reduction. Product-as-a-Service (PaaS) models also promote reuse by designing products intended for multiple uses.

How to Get Started:

Your challenge is to design an innovative solution that encourages individuals and communities to reduce their carbon footprint through consumption-based approaches!

Real World Examples

California Time-of-Use Rates: Encourages electricity use during off-peak hours when more renewable energy is available.
Lime (Global): Rent an electric scooter or bike for short trips and pay per minute, reducing car usage and emissions.
Getaround (United States): Rent a car from others for the time you need, sharing vehicles and cutting down on car ownership.
Depop (Global): Buy second-hand fashion instead of purchasing new clothes, reducing waste and supporting a circular economy.
IKEA Furniture Leasing (Global): Rent and return furniture, which is then refurbished and reused, promoting a circular approach to furnishing homes.
Rachio Smart Sprinkler Controller: A smart irrigation system that adjusts water usage based on real-time conditions, helping reduce water waste.

“We have the power to reshape our future and redefine how we consume and interact with the world around us. Imagine a world where every choice we make aligns with the well-being of our planet. By harnessing the power of consumption-based business models, we can shift the focus from excess to efficiency, creating solutions that empower individuals and communities to reduce waste and optimize resources. Your innovative ideas can lead the way, reshaping how we approach everyday consumption- from the energy, water and transportation we use, to the products we choose. Let’s build a more sustainable world together, one thoughtful choice at a time.”

Daisy Hernandez / Chief Strategy and Operations Officer

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