Combatting climate change through green investments
It is widely accepted that greater and more urgent action is required to reduce the effects of climate change so we can all look forward to a sustainable way of life in the future. As a responsible tourism company, we are implementing more sustainable solutions across all our business units. But we will not be able to reach our net-zero targets without creative solutions and new technologies. And they call for support through solid investments.
In 2022, we pledged to invest in startups with the specific objective of reducing our industry's environmental footprint. We do this through the green investment platform ClimatePoint. In 2024, we added three investments to our ClimatePoint portfolio. All are promising companies that have the potential to significantly reduce CO2 emissions from our industry in the future.
Our investment strategy proceeded as planned for the year, and we saw positive developments across our portfolio. In addition, we have invested a large sum in green technologies through ClimatePoint’s Green River Fund A/S. In total, the fund has invested in more than 100 different new greentech companies, all of which focus on contributing to a sustainable transition of the travel industry.
Our investments in greentech companies currently consist of:
- (Nordic Electrofuel (2022 investment) – A Norwegian company working to decarbonise aviation through a scalable and cost-effective e-fuel solution
- PI Energy (2023 investment) – An American company that develops and enables low-cost, non-toxic and globally scalable solar energy
- Carbon Removal A/S (2023 investment) – A Norwegian company developing Direct Air Capture (DAC) plants in Norway to capture CO2 from ambient air for permanent storage in offshore saline aquifers
- Luniwave (2023 investment) – A pioneering French environmental technology startup focused on reducing water and energy consumption in the tourism industry
- Solar Water Solutions (2024 investment) – A Finnish company developing affordable and decentralised off-grid water purification solutions
- SEaB Energy (2024 investment) – A British company taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts by making energy from waste
- Ocean Oasis (2024 investment) – A Norwegian company that offers a clean alternative to current desalination solutions, making fresh water more available in coastal areas around the world
Taking on the clean water challenge
Through ClimatePoint, we're investing in innovative greentech companies that have the potential to create a more sustainable travel industry for everyone. One such investment is addressing one of the world's biggest challenges – providing clean water in water-stressed regions around the globe.
Water scarcity is fast becoming one of the world’s most significant issues. According to UNICEF², four billion people — almost two thirds of the world’s population — experience severe water scarcity at least one month in every year. The problem is getting worse. UNICEF estimates that roughly 1 in 4 children will be living in areas with extremely high-water stress by 2040². While this is a global problem, it’s particularly relevant to the tourist industry. Many tourist destinations are water stressed, and the yearly influx of tourists only adds to the pressure. As a responsible company, we are keen to help find a solution, which is why we invested in the Finnish-based water-tech company, Solar Water Solutions (SWS) in 2024.
Clean water that doesnt cost the earth
The world’s surface is more than 70% water. But much of that water can’t be drunk, either due to its high salinity or pollution. SWS may have found the answer. Combining patented reverse osmosis water purification technology with an off-the-grid solar power supply, the company can extract clean water from the ocean or dirty inland water bodies inexpensively – to make this life-giving resource available in water-stressed regions.
The solution has already been proven in a number of areas, including Tuvula in Oceania and Antiga & Barbuda in the Caribbean. The city of Tsihombe in Madagascar is another example. Tsihombe used to get water from the Manambovo River. But, when the river dried up, the whole city began to struggle. SWS’s water purification system was installed in November 2022. Today, it provides nearly 45 million litres of clean water a year – enough for over 26,000 people. With the concept now proven, SWS is looking to expand the solution into other countries and regions. Taking on the clean water challenge.
Solar Water Solutions helps its partners around the world to provide remote communities with safe and sustainable drinking water. Its patented reverse osmosis solution was listed with a special mention on TIME’s Best Inventions of 2020. Today, it enables access to energy-efficient small-scale water supply in more than 300 locations.
Read more at: www.solarwatersolutions.fi
