Green World
The specific problem we are working to solve within the challenge is the need for rapid shifts in housing and adaptation planning to address the climate crisis. This problem is significant both at the community level and globally, impacting millions of people.
At the community level, the scale of the problem can vary, but it is particularly acute in low-income communities and informal settlements. These communities often lack decent housing and face greater vulnerability to climate-related risks. The lack of access to resilient housing and inadequate infrastructure exacerbate the impacts of climate change on these communities, leading to increased displacement, loss of livelihoods, and threats to human well-being.
Globally, the scale of the problem is immense. According to the United Nations, around one billion people lack access to decent housing. Additionally, natural catastrophes linked to climate change, such as droughts, floods, and heatwaves, result in significant economic losses and disproportionately affect countries with low cumulative emissions. In 2022 alone, the world experienced $268 billion in losses from such natural disasters.
Several factors contribute to the problem, and our solution aims to address them. These factors include:
1. Lack of affordable and sustainable housing: Many communities, especially those in low-income areas, face barriers to accessing affordable, resilient, and energy-efficient housing. Our solution promotes sustainable housing designs and innovative financing mechanisms to overcome these barriers.
2. Inadequate climate risk integration: Climate risk is often not adequately incorporated into infrastructure design and planning decisions. Our solution emphasizes the integration of climate risk considerations, improved data collection, and the alignment of financial incentives to ensure infrastructure projects are resilient and adaptive.
3. Limited access to financing and resources: The lack of financing options and resources hinders communities' ability to upgrade or build resilient housing and infrastructure. Our solution includes innovative financing approaches to support communities in accessing the necessary funds and resources for adaptation and housing improvements.
By addressing these factors through our solution, we aim to make a meaningful impact in communities affected by the climate crisis, promoting sustainable housing, climate resilience, and improved living conditions for millions of people worldwide.
Our solution is a platform that encourages and rewards companies for implementing sustainable housing practices. It utilizes a technology called non-fungible tokens (NFTs) to facilitate this process.
So, what is an NFT? Think of it as a unique digital certificate that represents ownership or proof of authenticity of a specific item, in this case, sustainable housing practices. Companies that adopt sustainable measures in their housing projects are awarded these green NFTs.
Here's how it works: Companies implementing sustainable practices, such as using renewable materials, energy-efficient designs, or eco-friendly construction methods, earn green NFTs as a reward. These NFTs act as digital assets, representing their environmentally beneficial actions.
The companies can then sell these NFTs on the platform to interested buyers. By doing so, they can recover the extra money spent on implementing sustainable practices. Buyers of the NFTs, such as investors or individuals interested in supporting sustainability, acquire a digital representation of the sustainable actions carried out by the company.
The platform uses blockchain technology to ensure the transparency and authenticity of the NFTs. Blockchain allows for secure and decentralized record-keeping, ensuring that the ownership and transaction history of each NFT can be verified and tracked.
In simple terms, our solution provides a way for companies to showcase and monetize their sustainable housing practices through the issuance and sale of digital NFTs. It creates a marketplace where sustainability-minded individuals or organizations can invest in and support these environmentally beneficial initiatives.
Our solution is a platform that promotes and rewards companies for implementing sustainable housing practices. We utilize non-fungible tokens (NFTs) as digital certificates to facilitate this process.
Here's how it works: Companies implementing sustainable practices, such as using renewable materials, energy-efficient designs, or eco-friendly construction methods, earn green NFTs as a reward. These NFTs act as digital assets, representing their environmentally beneficial actions.
The companies can then sell these NFTs on the platform to interested buyers. By doing so, they can recover the extra money spent on implementing sustainable practices. Buyers of the NFTs, such as investors or individuals interested in supporting sustainability, acquire a digital representation of the sustainable actions carried out by the company.
To ensure the authenticity and credibility of these sustainable practices, we enlist the services of experts who work as gig workers.
These experts have the crucial role of authenticating and verifying the sustainability claims made by the companies. They carefully evaluate the implementation of sustainable materials, energy-efficient designs, and eco-friendly construction methods. To ensure their commitment and accountability, the experts are required to put up a collateral.
The collateral acts as a form of insurance. If anyone can demonstrate dishonesty or incompetence on the part of the expert in the authentication process, they can make a claim against the collateral. This mechanism guarantees that the experts have a strong incentive to perform their duties with honesty and competence, as their collateral can be forfeited if they fail to do so.
The platform uses blockchain technology to ensure the transparency and authenticity of the NFTs. Blockchain allows for secure and decentralized record-keeping, ensuring that the ownership and transaction history of each NFT can be verified and tracked.
In summary, our solution combines NFTs, expert authentication, and collateral mechanisms to incentivize and authenticate sustainable housing practices. The platform offers a marketplace for companies to showcase and monetize their sustainable housing practices through the issuance and sale of digital NFTs. It creates a marketplace where sustainability-minded individuals or organizations can invest in and support these environmentally beneficial initiatives.
As a team, we have extensive training and experience in blockchain development, having been involved in writing contracts on the blockchain since 2015. We are committed to leveraging our expertise and knowledge to create a platform that is reliable, secure, and transparent, providing a high level of trust and confidence to its users.
Furthermore, we have a strong connection to the communities we aim to serve. Our team is based in Africa, which is projected to be one of the regions most heavily impacted by climate change. We understand the unique challenges and vulnerabilities faced by communities in this region.
We recognize the significant financing needs in Africa for climate change adaptation, estimated to be up to 300 billion dollars annually. Our solution is designed to attract both government and private sector investments, generating the necessary funding to address these challenges. By aligning incentives and providing a scalable and practical solution, we aim to contribute to the financial resources needed to combat climate change in African communities and the entire world.
- Reduce emissions from multifamily housing during construction, operation, and end-of-life while addressing barriers to local adoption.
- Ghana
- Prototype: A venture or organization building and testing its product, service, or business model, but which is not yet serving anyone
We are currently trying to create awareness around the product
Financial Barriers: Solve can assist us in accessing funding opportunities such as grants, investments, or impact-focused financing that align with our solution's goals. By connecting us with potential investors or philanthropic organizations, Solve can help us secure the financial resources needed to further develop and deploy our platform.
Market Barriers: Solve can help us explore and connect with potential market opportunities, whether it be through introductions to industry partners, access to relevant networks, or market research support. This assistance can enhance our market understanding and facilitate collaborations with stakeholders who can contribute to the successful deployment and adoption of our solution.
Credibility Barriers: Solve can help us establish credibility by connecting us with reputable organizations, experts, and advisors in the field of sustainable housing and climate resilience. These connections can lend credibility to our solution and increase trust among potential users, investors, and stakeholders.
Validation and Recognition: Solve's platform can serve as a validation mechanism for our solution. Being selected as a Solver by Solve demonstrates the credibility and potential impact of our solution to external audiences, including potential investors, partners, and supporters. This recognition can significantly enhance our credibility and open doors to further opportunities.
Network and Partnerships: Solve's extensive network can help us forge strategic partnerships with organizations and stakeholders that have established credibility in the industry. Collaborating with reputable partners can lend credibility to our solution, provide access to additional resources, and amplify our impact.
Expert Guidance: Solve can connect us with experts who can evabluate and educate companies in the implementation of sustainability practices. These experts can offer insights on best practices.
Showcasing Impact: Solve's platform and events provide opportunities for us to showcase the impact of our solution to a wide audience. Through participation in Solve's events, we can demonstrate the tangible results and positive outcomes of our solution, further enhancing our credibility.
- Financial (e.g. accounting practices, pitching to investors)
- Human Capital (e.g. sourcing talent, board development)
- Product / Service Distribution (e.g. delivery, logistics, expanding client base)
- Public Relations (e.g. branding/marketing strategy, social and global media)
Our solution approaches the problem in a new and innovative way by combining multiple elements that address the climate crisis, sustainable housing, and climate-resilient infrastructure. It leverages blockchain technology, NFTs, expert authentication, and collaborative financing to create a comprehensive platform for promoting sustainable practices and incentivizing their adoption.
What sets our solution apart is the integration of NFTs and the use of experts as gig workers for authentication. By minting NFTs for every portion of green land, we create a unique and tradable digital asset that represents the positive environmental impact of that specific area. This approach provides a transparent and verifiable record of sustainable practices, such as clean energy sources, tree planting, or pollution reduction, ensuring authenticity and accountability.
Furthermore, our platform engages experts who act as gig workers to verify and authenticate the sustainable practices implemented by companies. To ensure their credibility, these experts are required to put up collateral, which can be claimed by anyone who can demonstrate a lack of honesty or competence in their authentication process. This incentivizes experts to maintain high standards and fosters a sense of trust within the platform.
By integrating financial mechanisms, such as rewarding companies with green NFTs, we incentivize the implementation of sustainable practices in housing and infrastructure projects. This approach not only helps companies recover the extra costs associated with sustainable practices but also creates a market for tradable green assets. This can attract investors, stimulate economic growth, and catalyze broader positive impacts by driving the adoption of sustainable practices in the market.
In terms of broader positive impacts, our solution has the potential to influence the market by changing the dynamics of financing and incentives in the housing and infrastructure sectors. It can shift the market towards more sustainable and climate-resilient practices by aligning financial incentives with environmental goals. As more companies and organizations adopt sustainable practices to earn and trade green NFTs, it creates a ripple effect, inspiring others in the industry to follow suit.
Additionally, our solution can catalyze broader positive impacts by generating a wealth of data and insights on sustainable practices. This data can be used to inform policy decisions, urban planning, and infrastructure development at local, national, and global levels. It can drive innovation, improve industry standards, and guide investments towards climate-friendly solutions, thereby fostering a more sustainable and resilient future.
By combining innovative technologies, financial incentives, expert authentication, and collaborative approaches, our solution has the potential to revolutionize the market, drive systemic change, and catalyze broader positive impacts in the fight against climate change.
Our impact goals for the next year and the next five years are aligned with creating significant positive change in addressing the climate crisis, promoting sustainable housing, and building climate-resilient infrastructure. Our goals are as follows:
Next Year Impact Goals:
1. Facilitate the implementation of sustainable practices in housing and infrastructure projects, leading to a measurable reduction in carbon emissions and environmental impact.
- We will achieve this by onboarding a significant number of companies onto our platform, incentivizing them with green NFT rewards for adopting sustainable practices and providing the necessary support and resources for implementation.
2. Engage a diverse community of experts and gig workers who authenticate sustainable practices, ensuring the highest standards of credibility and accountability.
- We will actively recruit experts from various fields related to sustainable development and climate resilience, providing them with clear guidelines and a robust authentication process. Collaboration and feedback from the expert community will be crucial in improving our platform and ensuring its integrity.
3. Establish strategic partnerships with local organizations, governments, and investors to expand our reach and impact in key regions, particularly in areas most vulnerable to the effects of climate change.
- We will actively engage with local stakeholders, including governments, NGOs, and community leaders, to understand the specific needs of the communities we serve and collaborate on tailored solutions. Partnerships with investors and financial institutions will be sought to secure additional funding for scaling our impact.
Next Five Years Impact Goals:
1. Drive a substantial shift towards sustainable housing and climate-resilient infrastructure, leading to a measurable reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and improved climate resilience in targeted communities.
- By incentivizing sustainable practices, expanding our user base, and continuously improving our platform, we aim to significantly contribute to the global transition towards low-carbon and climate-resilient development.
2. Foster a vibrant marketplace for green NFTs, promoting the trade and investment in sustainable assets worldwide.
- We will work towards establishing our platform as a recognized marketplace for green NFTs, attracting investors, developers, and organizations interested in supporting and financing sustainable projects. This will catalyze broader investments in sustainable housing and infrastructure, driving positive impacts at scale.
3. Empower communities to actively participate in the design, implementation, and monitoring of sustainable projects, ensuring their needs and perspectives are integrated.
- We will continue to prioritize community engagement through surveys, interviews, and collaborative workshops. By including local communities in decision-making processes and providing them with access to information and resources, we will empower them to drive sustainable development initiatives that meet their specific needs.
To achieve these impact goals, we will employ a multi-faceted approach that includes strategic partnerships, user engagement, continuous platform improvement, and effective communication. We will leverage technology, data analytics, and expert insights to guide our decision-making, measure our impact, and adapt our strategies to maximize our contribution towards a sustainable and resilient future.
- 6. Clean Water and Sanitation
- 7. Affordable and Clean Energy
- 9. Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- 11. Sustainable Cities and Communities
- 13. Climate Action
- 14. Life Below Water
- 15. Life on Land
- 17. Partnerships for the Goals
To measure our progress toward our impact goals, we are using a combination of quantitative and qualitative indicators. These indicators provide insights into the effectiveness of our solution, the adoption of sustainable practices, and the overall impact on communities and the environment. Here are a few specific indicators we are using:
1. Number of companies onboarded and actively participating on the platform.
- This indicator measures the engagement of companies in adopting sustainable practices through our platform. We track the number of companies registered, actively implementing sustainable practices, and utilizing the platform to trade green NFTs.
2. Reduction in carbon emissions and environmental impact.
- We measure the carbon emissions and environmental impact associated with housing and infrastructure projects before and after the adoption of sustainable practices facilitated by our platform. This allows us to track the positive changes and the overall environmental benefits achieved.
3. Number of authenticated sustainable projects.
- This indicator measures the number of housing and infrastructure projects that have been successfully authenticated by our community of experts. It reflects the level of trust and credibility established within our platform and serves as a measure of the quality and impact of the projects.
4. Community engagement and satisfaction.
- We collect feedback from the communities we serve to assess their level of engagement, satisfaction, and perception of the impact of sustainable projects. This includes conducting surveys, interviews, and focus groups to gather qualitative data on the experiences and perspectives of the community members.
5. Investment and trade volume of green NFTs.
- We track the volume of green NFTs traded on our platform, as well as the investment flow into sustainable projects facilitated by the issuance and sale of these NFTs. This indicator reflects the market demand, investor interest, and financial impact of our solution.
6. Partnerships and collaborations established.
- We measure the number and quality of partnerships formed with local organizations, governments, investors, and other stakeholders. These partnerships contribute to the scalability and sustainability of our solution, enhancing its impact and reach.
By regularly monitoring these indicators and analyzing the data collected, we can assess our progress, identify areas for improvement, and make data-driven decisions to ensure that we are effectively driving positive change and making meaningful contributions to our impact goals.
Our theory of change is based on the belief that by incentivizing and promoting sustainable practices in housing and infrastructure, we can effectively address the climate crisis and foster positive impacts for our target population. Here is a simplified explanation of our theory of change:
1. Activities:
- Onboarding companies: We engage with companies and provide them with the resources, support, and incentives to adopt sustainable practices in their housing and infrastructure projects.
- Expert authentication: We involve a community of experts who authenticate and verify the implementation of sustainable practices, ensuring credibility and accountability.
- Green NFT rewards: We reward companies implementing sustainable practices with green NFTs, allowing them to recover the extra costs incurred and incentivizing further adoption.
2. Outputs:
- Adoption of sustainable practices: Through our platform, companies adopt sustainable practices such as using low-carbon materials, implementing renewable energy sources, and integrating climate resilience measures into their projects.
- Verified and authenticated projects: The involvement of experts ensures the credibility and authenticity of sustainable practices implemented by companies, building trust within the platform.
- Issuance of green NFTs: Companies receive green NFTs as rewards, representing the positive environmental impact of their projects.
3. Immediate outcomes:
- Reduced carbon emissions: The adoption of sustainable practices leads to a measurable reduction in carbon emissions associated with housing and infrastructure construction and operation.
- Enhanced climate resilience: The integration of climate resilience measures makes housing and infrastructure projects more resilient to the impacts of climate change.
- Improved environmental sustainability: Sustainable practices contribute to the preservation of natural resources, conservation of energy, and reduction of waste and pollution.
4. Longer-term outcomes:
- Positive impact on communities: Sustainable housing and infrastructure enhance the quality of life and well-being of individuals and communities, providing safer and healthier living environments.
- Climate change mitigation and adaptation: The collective impact of widespread adoption of sustainable practices contributes to global efforts in mitigating climate change and adapting to its effects.
- Market transformation: By establishing a marketplace for green NFTs and incentivizing sustainable practices, we catalyze a broader shift towards sustainable housing and infrastructure in the market, influencing industry standards and practices.
Our theory of change is supported by research on the effectiveness of sustainable practices in reducing carbon emissions, enhancing resilience, and improving living conditions.
The core technology that powers our solution is blockchain technology. Blockchain is a decentralized and transparent digital ledger that securely records and verifies transactions. It provides a reliable and immutable system for tracking and validating the adoption of sustainable practices in housing and infrastructure projects.
Here's how blockchain technology is integrated into our solution:
1. Authentication and verification: Blockchain allows us to authenticate and verify the sustainable practices implemented by companies. Experts in our community digitally validate the projects and record the verification on the blockchain, ensuring transparency and accountability.
2. Green NFT issuance and trading: We utilize blockchain to mint and manage green NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) that represent the positive environmental impact of sustainable projects. These NFTs can be bought, sold, and traded on our platform, providing companies with a means to recover the extra costs of implementing sustainable practices.
3. Transparency and traceability: Blockchain provides a transparent and immutable record of all transactions and activities within our platform. This allows stakeholders, including companies, experts, and community members, to have full visibility into the adoption of sustainable practices, the authentication process, and the trading of green NFTs.
4. Data security and privacy: Blockchain ensures the security and privacy of sensitive information related to sustainable projects. The decentralized nature of blockchain technology reduces the risk of data breaches and unauthorized access, enhancing the trust and confidentiality of the platform.
By leveraging the power of blockchain technology, we can create a robust and trusted platform that incentivizes and tracks the adoption of sustainable practices, facilitates the issuance and trading of green NFTs, and ensures transparency and accountability in the entire process.
- A new application of an existing technology
- Blockchain
- Crowd Sourced Service / Social Networks
- GIS and Geospatial Technology
- Software and Mobile Applications
- Ghana
- Ghana
- Kenya
- Nigeria
- South Africa
- For-profit, including B-Corp or similar models
We are deeply committed to incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusivity into our work. We recognize that diverse perspectives and experiences are crucial for developing effective solutions and addressing the complex challenges we face. Here is an overview of our approach:
1. Diversity in leadership: Our leadership team is intentionally diverse, encompassing individuals from different backgrounds, cultures, and identities. We believe that this diversity brings varied insights and approaches to decision-making and problem-solving.
2. Team goals for diversity: We have set explicit goals to further enhance the diversity of our team. We actively seek to recruit individuals from underrepresented groups and strive to create an inclusive and equitable work environment where all team members feel valued, respected, and supported.
3. Inclusive design and user engagement: In the development of our solution, we actively engage with our target population to ensure that their needs, perspectives, and ideas are included. We conduct user research, interviews, and surveys to gather feedback and insights, making sure that our solution is designed in a way that is accessible, inclusive, and relevant to the communities we serve.
4. Collaboration with diverse partners: We actively seek partnerships with organizations and individuals who share our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. By collaborating with diverse stakeholders, we foster a collective approach to address the challenges and amplify the positive impact we can achieve together.
5. Training and awareness: We invest in ongoing training and education for our team members to deepen their understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion. This includes workshops, seminars, and resources that promote cultural competency, unconscious bias awareness, and inclusive practices in all aspects of our work.
We are dedicated to creating an environment where diversity is celebrated, equity is prioritized, and inclusion is fostered. We believe that by embedding these values into our work, we can better serve our target population, generate more innovative solutions, and contribute to a more equitable and just society.
Our business model revolves around providing value to our customers and beneficiaries while generating revenue through various channels. Here's an overview of our integrated business model:
Key Customers:
1. Companies implementing sustainable housing practices: Our primary customers are companies in the construction and infrastructure sectors committed to sustainability. They seek our services to authenticate their sustainable practices, obtain green NFTs, access financing, and showcase their commitment to sustainability.
2. Experts in sustainable practices: We engage a community of experts who authenticate and validate sustainable practices. These experts play a crucial role in ensuring the credibility and integrity of our platform.
Key Beneficiaries:
1. Communities and individuals: Our solution directly benefits communities by promoting the adoption of sustainable practices in housing and infrastructure. This leads to climate resilience, energy efficiency, and environmentally friendly living environments, enhancing quality of life and reducing vulnerability to climate change.
Products and Services:
1. Sustainable practice authentication: We provide services to authenticate and verify sustainable practices implemented by companies. This includes evaluating construction processes, materials, energy sources, and environmental impact. This authentication process provides credibility and transparency to companies.
2. Green NFT marketplace: We operate a marketplace for green NFTs that represent the positive environmental impact of sustainable projects. Companies can earn and accumulate green NFTs based on the scale and effectiveness of their sustainable practices. We facilitate the buying, selling, and trading of these NFTs on our platform, taking a 1% transaction fee.
3. Financing opportunities: We connect companies implementing sustainable practices with potential financing partners. Through our platform, companies can access funding sources that prioritize and support sustainability, helping them recover the additional costs associated with sustainable initiatives.
Value Proposition:
Our customers and beneficiaries benefit from the following value propositions:
1. Credibility and market differentiation: Companies gain credibility and differentiate themselves in the market by demonstrating their commitment to sustainability through authentication and verification of their practices.
2. Financial incentives: Companies earn and trade green NFTs, which represent their sustainable practices, allowing them to recover costs and generate additional revenue through the NFT marketplace.
3. Environmental impact and resilience: Communities benefit from the adoption of sustainable practices, leading to reduced carbon emissions, energy efficiency, and climate resilience.
Revenue Generation:
Our revenue model includes the following streams:
1. NFT marketplace fees: We generate revenue by operating the marketplace for green NFTs and taking a 1% transaction fee on each NFT trade.
2. Consulting fees: We offer consulting services to companies seeking guidance and support in implementing sustainable practices, including sustainability assessments and strategy development.
3. Partnerships and collaborations: We explore partnerships with financing institutions, sustainable development organizations, and stakeholders to create mutually beneficial collaborations that support our mission and generate revenue.
Through this integrated business model, we aim to drive positive impact, foster market transformation toward sustainability, and generate revenue to sustain our operations, expand our reach, and further advance our mission.
- Organizations (B2B)
Our plan for financial sustainability encompasses a combination of revenue streams to fund our work and ensure long-term viability. Here's an overview of our strategies:
1. NFT Marketplace Revenue: We operate a marketplace for green NFTs, where companies can buy, sell, and trade these tokens that represent their sustainable practices. By taking a 1% transaction fee on each NFT trade, we generate revenue from the marketplace activities. As the adoption of sustainable practices and demand for green NFTs increase, this revenue stream has the potential for substantial growth.
2. Consulting and Advisory Services: We offer consulting and advisory services to companies seeking guidance on implementing sustainable practices. This includes sustainability assessments, strategy development, and support in aligning their operations with environmental goals. By charging fees for these services, we generate revenue while providing valuable expertise to our clients.
3. Partnerships and Collaborations: We explore partnerships and collaborations with various stakeholders, such as financing institutions, sustainable development organizations, and government agencies. These partnerships may involve joint initiatives, co-funding opportunities, or service contracts that provide financial support for our work while leveraging resources and expertise from our partners.
4. Grants and Impact Investment: We actively seek grants and impact investment opportunities to support our initiatives and expand our impact. We identify and pursue funding sources from foundations, impact investors, and organizations aligned with our mission. These funds help cover operational costs, research and development, and scaling efforts.
5. Donations and Philanthropic Support: We engage with individuals, corporations, and philanthropic entities passionate about sustainable development and climate resilience. By highlighting the importance and impact of our work, we seek sustained donations and philanthropic support to supplement our revenue streams and further our mission.
6. Revenue Diversification: As we grow and expand our offerings, we explore additional revenue-generating opportunities that align with our core mission. This may include licensing our technology, creating premium services, or developing innovative products and solutions that generate income while driving positive environmental impact.
By diversifying our revenue streams and focusing on the scalability and sustainability of our business model, we aim to achieve financial self-sufficiency. Our goal is to ensure that the revenue generated from these various sources adequately covers our expected expenses, allowing us to continue delivering our solutions, expanding our reach, and driving transformative impact in the long term.