Understanding 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.

Focus on Consumption-Based Strategies

Consumption-based businesses can play a crucial role in combating climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by promoting resource efficiency and minimizing waste.

• These models align product or service use with actual demand, reducing overproduction and excess consumption. 
• Since revenue is tied to usage, businesses are motivated to improve efficiency and adopt sustainable practices, such as energy-saving technologies or eco-friendly materials.
• By encouraging consumers to pay only for what they use, these models foster more mindful consumption, reducing unnecessary purchases and waste, and ultimately lessening the overall environmental impact.

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.

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

Real-World Inspiration: 

• 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.