Infrastructure| Podcast Sustainability

"Banker to the poor": Muhammad Yunus and the micro-credit revolution

Nobel Peace Prize-winner economist Muhammad Yunus became world famous with the invention of micro-credit and social business. A thought leader who has dedicated his life to eradicating poverty through new ideas of economic inclusion and sustainability, starting in one of the world’s most difficult countries, Bangladesh

The world's largest regatta sails towards sustainability

Fight against pollutant emissions and littering: with its global appeal, the Barcolana aims to be an increasingly green event for sailors, visitors, and citizens

Green hydrogen: these are the major plants and projects to produce it in Europe

Green hydrogen promises to decarbonise the energy system, but between EU targets and real production capacity there is the need to build the new plants. Let's see the biggest to date or under construction in Europe

Trump or Harris, the role of the US vote in the global green transition

Comparison between the two White House candidates on US green policies, with Biden focusing on incentives. The outcome of the election will also determine the direction of global climate finance and the adoption of more or less bold initiatives by the global community

‘Undertourism’: here are 5 alternative destinations to overcrowded travel locations

 Everyone knows the places overwhelmed by overtourism. Let's get away from tautologies and explore the most underrated places for a holiday, away from ‘crazy crowds’.

Digital Euro, greener than cash. But not more convenient for everyone

The environmental footprint of cash payments is equivalent to 8 km travelled by car in one year. Cashless payments pollute 21% less, but banking desertification penalises certain communities and segments of the population. The ECB-guaranteed digital euro could arrive in the next few years

"Sustainability is a path of value that never stops"

The experience of a B-Corp company led by Walter Bertin, Labomar, in creating a value chain based on short supply chains, control of raw materials, and research and development of innovative nutraceutical products designed for human well-being and respectful of the environment

Beyond oil? What the Gulf countries are really doing for the green transition

Gulf states aim to become global hubs for climate diplomacy, as the COP28 in Dubai clearly showed one more time. But green transition needs funds, innovation and market opportunities to get real: so, let’s see what are the concrete commitments taken firsthand by some of the biggest producers of fossil fuels in the world

SAF, what's behind a green acronym

The Net-Zero 2050 goal in aviation depends largely on the adoption of sustainable fuels, but to date only 1% of the necessary infrastructure is ready. After the first 100% SAF commercial flight between London and NY, we take stock of the actual state of play to make this change possible

The condo's electric car: is it the sharing of the future? The bet on Genoa

Electric car sharing can become a reality in communities of residents who self-produce renewable energy. A change in habits and consumption is increasingly plausible, thanks in part to a 5.7 billion Italian plan for Renewable Energy Communities, approved by the EU. We discuss this with Maurizio Ferraris, Maps Energy Market Director

“Solar energy from every surface: this material will revolutionise our lives”

Flexible, versatile, efficient and durable: it is called perovskite and, according to researchers, it is the perfect material to produce photovoltaic energy from any object that is reached by light, even non-natural light. Annalisa Bruno, a professor working with the laboratory team that is developing its properties to achieve industrial applications, tells us about it

The road to switching to electric cars is (still) full of potholes

Italy slows down in the decarbonisation of transport. Without an acceleration of green policies, bold incentives for the purchase of low-emission cars and greater regulatory clarity on recharging infrastructures, the country risks falling even further behind, according to the latest Smart Mobility Report by Milan’s Polytechnic University

COP28, historic result? But climate change does not wait for politics

The COP28 Global Stocktake recognises for the first time that combating global warming requires doing without fossil energy sources. However, climate action cannot target 2050, it must accelerate from this decade and the current commitments of countries are not sufficient to stop the emergency

The city? It is a living organism: the ecological design of biourbanism

Adapting urban space to climate change, rethinking cities in the face of the gradual abandonment of fossil fuels, mitigating heat waves are some of the challenges considered by biourbanism, a model that approaches design through the lens of life science

Fossil sources, is it still worth it? The risks of a future carbon lock-in

Building fossil-based infrastructure will block the energy transition of the industrial system, beyond the EU's decarbonisation deadlines. This delay will have an impact on climate and economic risks, due to the loss of competitiveness in the manufacturing sector and the spread of stranded assets in the energy sector

System, skills, territory: this is the formula of Rome Technopole

An ecosystem of synergies and meetings between the business world, institutions and the university, based on research, training and innovation: Rome Technopole is the major project that aims to enhance excellence to support the growth of companies and communities that are part of an entire region

Recycling construction: if even building becomes circular

Cities as mines, thanks to the recovery, reuse and recycling of materials also in construction, which produces “the largest waste fraction in Europe (40%).” This is explained by Dario Caro of the Joint Research Centre, the EU Commission's research institute that has studied the economic and environmental impact, finding that urban mining in construction requires a quantum leap

“We need a collective, diversified and inclusive energy transition”

Adnan Shihab Eldin, a luminary in Energy Studies, attended the 18th IAEE European Conference in Milan. Trends in energy security and clean energy transition need an holistic dialogue encompassing supply and demand facets

Fast & virtuous: fast charging for all through super cables

Superconductive electrical networks, made from an innovative material, could enable both electric and hydrogen fast charging along motorways. A flexible, versatile and large-scale solution for mass users, resulting also from Cern research

Desalination, pros and cons of the last frontier in the water crisis

Is it really so easy to use sea water to meet the water needs of entire cities and nations? What are the quality, energy costs, advantages and disadvantages? Let us take a closer look at a solution already widely used in some of the world's arid countries

Green finance and the fight against emissions: Mundys' commitment to sustainability

The group is the corporate leader of the World Economic Forum's initiative to identify new financing instruments for the ecological transition of the airport sector. Target to reduce CO₂ emissions by 50 per cent through SBTi assessment confirmed. And the interactive Data Art work ‘Moving Data’ lands at Rome Fiumicino

“We’re not on track on energy transition, despite high investments”

“The power sector in itself is not really enough to decarbonize the energy system”, says Elizabeth Press of IRENA commenting on the World energy Transitions Outlook presented in Rome

The 5 key actions to change the transports in a sustainable way

Changing technology or energy sources is not the only step to transform a sector that produces 15% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Efficient mobility services, more inclusive urban planning and barrier-free infrastructure are needed

Green bonds, ESG criteria and more: finance for sustainability in infrastructures

The capital market makes various instruments available to investors to finance green sustainability projects. We discuss this with Marco Spano, Managing Director and co-Head of Debt Capital Markets and Financing Group at Mediobanca. With an eye on the Mundys case

Here’s how Oslo became the capital of EV cars

It’s not just about acting on vehicles: the Norwegian city took a whole plan about infrastructures, incentives, mobility and public transport, to abate its emissions and thereby encouraging the passage from fossil fueled car to EVs

Recycling electric batteries: the antidote to a new disaster

There is no alternative to this form of circular economy. Electric batteries for cars promise to solve the problem of polluting emissions, but if the recovery and reuse of raw materials is inadequate, the environment and production chains will suffer enormous new stresses

Critical resources, energy and cleantech: it's a race between powers

From new routes for fossil resources to innovative hydrogen networks, from metals to rare earths: international crises in recent years have highlighted the critical role of access to resources on the global geopolitical map for international technological competition and industry of the future. Taking stock one year after the start of the war between Russia and Ukraine

'Paying to pollute' is not enough. Anti-emissions strategies in aviation

Immediate measures to achieve decarbonisation targets in the aviation sector include auctions for emission allowances, offset programmes and specific taxation proposals. But action is needed on several levels: here is how the market and industrial research do and can play their part

A phenomenology of the ‘NIMBY’ syndrome and some of its best remedies

It goes well beyond just an acronym and raises similar “symptoms'', in many cases all around the world. Nevertheless, one fact is sure: bypassing local communities to develop much-needed infrastructures is wrong

Road to COP28 in the hearth of the Gulf

2023 will be the “Year of Sustainability” in the UAE, which is hosting the next COP. The arabic country has already invested $50 billion in renewable energy and clean tech, and the same amount is planned for the years ahead

“No to nuclear: now, the future is self-produced renewable energy”

A return to nuclear energy would not help solve the issues raised by the energy crisis, according to Nicola Armaroli, research director at the CNR. “We already have 90% of the transition solutions”

"Yes to nuclear power to reach the Net Zero 2050 goal"

Atomic energy will be key to achieving emissions targets and supply autonomy, along with renewables. This is explained by Chicco Testa, manager and author of the book 'Going Back to Nuclear Power', speaking to Infra Journal about fourth-generation power plants and fusion studies

“We train the youth and countries to a climate-proof future”

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) is an intergovernmental body with 167 member nations. Its scope of activities ranges from young climate and energy leaders to developing countries. Infra Journal has reached out its Director General, Francesco La Camera

Everything we know (so far) about nuclear fusion

Profile of a possible new energy source, which would have a limited environmental impact. Scientific research has been at work since the 1950s, but the first power plants may only be realised as of 2050. And meanwhile the world's energy needs are growing

“Climate justice at COP27 should not remain only on paper”

“A great achievement the loss & damage fund, but decisions need another year while natural disasters impact billions of people,” Professor Massimiliano Falcone, communication strategist at the World Bank Group, Connect4Climate, explains

'Failure'? No. There is at least one historic achievement of COP27

It is the creation of a fund to help countries affected by damage and losses caused by the climate crisis, which has been overdue for 30 years. However, the negotiations on loss & damage left the mitigation and fossil fuel front uncovered

Utopia or the next revolution? The shape of the smart cities of the future

A line in the desert or hexagonal modules installed on oceans: here are the revolutionary projects of Neom, Oceanix City and other almost utopian smart cities

The smart lamppost, the energy-saving sentinel in the city

Adaptive and intelligent public lighting can be a key to sustainability in overcoming the energy crisis. Here's how 'simple' poles can provide not only light and at the same time consume fewer resources

That subtle balance between policy and "green" batteries markets

Western countries are lagging behind Asian battery producers and a quick shift to e-cars may induce an even deeper reliance from China. The transition to a clean mobility is still ongoing and Europe may find itself cut off from innovation if its policies reveal to be too far behind the market

Three events that will lead the global transition to sustainability

Focus on investments and governance strategies: the world change-managing leaders are ready to gather in the next months at The World Climatic Summit, the upcoming COP28 and the Gitex Impact

Electric or fossil fuel car: here is which really pollutes less

Let there be no doubt: even in the worst-case scenario an electric car already has 30 per cent less impact than an equivalent petrol or diesel. And things are bound to improve

"Building bridges through the charm of Art"

Better World Fund, a Paris-based non-profit organization raising awareness on critical global issues, hosts huge events worldwide about sustainability and health matters. From Venice to Cannes, Cinematic art at the service of humanity.

Autumn is here: strategies for the EU gas crisis

Here is what has changed in the policies and strategies of the European Union and individual major countries to implement the abandonment of Russian gas in favour of other sources and suppliers, seven months after the start of the war in Ukraine

The 'ecomodernist' perspective on the environmental issue

Technological innovation and economic growth can coexist alongside the ecological transition, accompanying and indeed supporting it, under the banner of a renewed humanism. Michael Shellenberger presents his divergent theory from traditional environmentalism in his book 'The Apocalypse Can Wait'

Infrastructure at risk in the Arctic due to climate change

Global warming is causing the land in the Arctic region, which is permanently frozen (permafrost), to thaw. Soil disruption causes immediate damage to human works, a major impact on existing ecosystems and the release of new carbon into the atmosphere

What is cloud seeding, a try to relief from draught

This technique was discovered in the 1940s, and is nowadays used in arid nations to stimulate rainfalls. More than fifty countries have already used it, and many others are planning to give a chance too

Supercars at the electric breakthrough

High-performance electric cars are already a reality, but there are several unknowns about the future of the sector, starting with reliability

Revolutionary roads: Ecopeatge, an eco-tolling system for Valencia

The Spanish city is testing an urban road usage and pollution charge, based on satellite and cloud technology provided by Abertis Mobility Services: here's how it would work, once implemented

The case of “ghost flights” in the skies over Europe

In the midst of the pandemic, some airlines had empty planes take off in order to retain the right to airport slots. A secondary market and the creation of a true Single European Sky could be a solution to this contradiction between outdated rules and the need for greater sustainability

The capabilities of hydrogen for industry and transport

It could make an important contribution to reducing emissions where electrification is more difficult and in sectors hard to abate. The Hydrogen JRP is a research centre by the Politecnico di Milano, for a research chain between universities and the business world

A laboratory for sustainability in the airport of tomorrow

Reforesting is a part of a wider strategy in absorbing CO₂ at Aéroports de la Côte d'Azur. The group was certified Airport Carbon Accreditation level 4+ and has a plan to become a non-emissive airport platform in Nice, Cannes and Saint Tropez

How to (quickly) rethink cities to mitigate climate change

Urban spaces, infrastructure and transportation networks need to be optimised and redesigned, according to the UN IPCC Sixth Report. By mid-century, 68 percent of the world's population will be living in a city

“The World needs climate literacy to preserve peace”

A call to action by Kathleen Rogers, President of Earth Day Organization: “Climate change isn’t just a future threat; it’s happening now, and the changes we’re already seeing will only get worse”

Urban reforestation as a resilience strategy

A primary mode of adaptation to global warming, the planting of tens of thousands of trees in the urban fabric should be considered as an inevitable infrastructure for the 21st century. Examples of this around the world are multiplying at all levels

Here's why zero emissions in aviation is a major challenge

The COP26 conference established the goal of zero emissions for the aviation industry by 2050. Airports and airlines are adopting anti-pollution initiatives, but public incentives would be useful in support of this commitment in an area of key importance for the economy

“Beauty connects people”: the Italian legacy at Expo 2020

This unprecedented Expo put the spotlight on the need to look towards the future to respond to the challenges and issues of the modern-day world. The Italian Pavilion was the perfect example of a proposal that considers the unity of nations and intentions, right down to the project’s design and planning

Hydrogen a new challenge for greener airports

Hydrogen as a power source to relieve the environmental impact in aviation: this is the OLGA Project, as approved by the European Commission, with a total budget of 34 millions euro. But others are also considering this innovation

Energy self-sufficiency: more than an environmental issue

The Russia-Ukraine conflict is testing the European Union’s ambitious climate goals, adding new political significance to the continent’s ambitions for sustainability and energy independence from exporters of fossil fuels, technologies and raw materials

The “hunger” for minerals: the price of sustainability

An electric car requires six times more minerals than a conventional one. Global demand for certain raw materials, such as lithium, copper and other metals and minerals, grows steadily as the world struggles to achieve sustainability goals

Citizens' Energy Communities: the soul of the new smart cities

A challenge for engineering, and not only: the new forms of decentralised, sustainable production and consumption require new forms of community and new behaviour as citizens return to a direct relationship with energy

SAF and e-fuels: the wild card to fly "green"

Authorities, air companies and fuel providers are increasingly looking into sustainable aviation fuels (Saf) and "e-fuels" as an alternative to fossil hydrocarbons. How are these fuels made? What are the pros and cons? Some operators are leading the way in Europe

Cities take on the climate crisis: three stories from the Anthropocene

Urban centres do not necessarily have a destructive impact on nature and biodiversity. Cities like Shanghai, Stockholm and Prato are attempting to reverse this paradigm, demonstrating how green infrastructures can help in facing environmental challenges, such as flood management, pollution reduction, climate resilience and public health

The six guiding specifications for building sustainable infrastructure

The ability of infrastructure to shape economies and societies is immense and could be used as a tool to facilitate the reinvention of the entire world of construction.

Outdoors, green and sustainable: passwords for the next holidays

Tourism, like everything, evolves and Covid-19 has accelerated this process. Here is how routes, destinations and experiences can adapt to the perfect sustainability wave of post pandemic.

That strange desire for car-sharing

According to a study by Doxa, four key trends will change the face of European mobility within the next 10 years. Here are the issues still on the table to facilitate a green and smart approach to the future

Transports, the dawn of the sustainable Era

The pandemic offered us a chance to rethink our mobility habits with an eye on the Planet. Here is how cities like Milan, Paris and London are responding to this need for change