The issue of climate change and the green transition is becoming increasingly urgent. A survey conducted by EDF and IPSOS among 23,500 people across different parts of the world reveals that 70% of respondents want their governments to take meaningful action for climate. We at LGI Sustainable Innovation are sure that green ambitions can - and must - go beyond loud slogans. We believe that innovation is key to finding practical, effective solutions to today’s environmental challenges. Let’s explore how our projects turn words into actions!
Harnessing Innovative Technologies to Minimise Environmental Impact
The green transition should not mean turning away from technological progress. In fact, innovation combined with an increased emphasis on sobriety can truly make a difference. While the shift to renewable energy and greener technologies reduces dependance on fossil fuels, the reality of the green transition is that we still rely on non-renewable natural resources to power the necessary technologies.
Critical Raw Materials (CRMs) — such as cobalt, indium, tantalum, and rare earth elements — are essential for the green transition. These metals and minerals are vital for industries like electronics, automotive manufacturing, and renewable energy. Yet, their supply is limited, vulnerable to geopolitical risks, and tied to negative social and environmental externalities.
At LGI, we are deeply committed to the social impact of our projects. The AfricaMaVal initiative aims to foster sustainable partnerships between European and African industries. It promotes responsible sourcing of natural resources and encourages local co-development under the best Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards, creating a long-term, stable business environment for both European and African companies.
Since we cannot avoid extracting the CRMs, the challenge is to make their supply less invasive. One of our priorities is to minimise the environmental impact of resource extraction and optimise processes to be as non-invasive as possible.
Through projects like UNDERCOVER, we support the development of less invasive mineral exploration techniques. The project researches how innovative technologies can help locate minerals without extensive underground digging. These include geophysical surveys, airborne technologies, and artificial intelligence - guiding exploration towards the most promising areas. By improving precision in the early stages of exploration, we reduce environmental disruption before extraction even begins.But our commitment doesn’t stop there. We also work to optimise how resources are managed once mining operations are underway. For example, our BIORECOVER project extends the well-known Reduce, Reuse, Recycle mantra to CRMs. Its goal is to recover valuable CRMs from industrial and mining wastes. By making the most of materials already in circulation, the project reduces the need for new extraction.
Using Innovative Technologies to Mitigate Climate Risks
Cutting-edge technologies are essential allies in protecting ecosystems and addressing climate change challenges. Innovation offers powerful tools for monitoring air pollution, preventing natural hazards, and issuing early warnings for extreme weather events.
At LGI, we are proud to contribute to these efforts through projects like the newly launched GreenEO°. This initiative employs high-resolution satellite technology to assess ecosystem health - from monitoring urban air quality to tracking nitrogen emissions from agriculture. It also evaluates forest fire risks, helping authorities act before devastating wildfires escalate. As climate change increases the frequency and severity of forest fires, early prediction and prevention become crucial.
In an era of escalating climate risks, weather forecasts are more than just about choosing between sunglasses or an umbrella. Accurate forecasting is essential for preparedness against natural disasters that threaten livelihoods. While much of the global focus tends to be on reacting to disasters, we believe that prevention and early action are the most effective strategies. Accurate, timely forecasts can save lives, protect ecosystems, and reduce economic losses.
Our Focus Africa project exemplified this approach by improving forecasts for droughts, heavy rains, and heatwaves in Southern Africa. Such predictions inform decisions in infrastructure, agriculture, and energy. For example, anticipating weather extremes is key to successful agricultural investments in South Africa, while considering climate risks during railway construction in Tanzania helps ensure the infrastructure’s durability.
These projects showcase our commitment to harnessing innovation and proactive measures to enhance resilience, improve preparedness, and reduce the environmental and societal impacts of climate risks.
Innovation Needs Collaboration to Deliver Impact
Climate challenges cannot be tackled unilaterally - they require joint efforts. Addressing today’s climate challenges - and building the technologies and solutions needed for a sustainable future - requires collaboration. Meaningful partnerships, built on fairness, knowledge-sharing, and mutual benefit, are the driving force behind real progress.
It’s this belief that led us to join the SUN4Ukraine project, a forward-looking initiative embodying this spirit of cooperation to support Ukraine who rebuilds its cities in line with climate neutrality goals.
In a bold move, Ukraine has indeed decided to align its urban recovery plans with its climate neutrality ambitions. Authorities have chosen not just to restore what was lost, but to reimagine urban spaces with climate neutrality in mind. To support this ambition, 12 Ukrainian cities are being paired with those participating in the EU’s 100 Climate Neutral and Smart Cities Mission, promoting knowledge exchange and accelerating the green transition. As a proud partner of the NetZeroCities project, which drives this EU Cities Mission, LGI plays an active role in building bridges between cities, ensuring knowledge and practical solutions flow both ways: EU cities offer expertise and capacity to speed up progress towards climate neutrality, while Ukrainian municipalities bring valuable energy autonomy and resilience solutions - especially relevant in light of recent blackouts in Spain and Portugal.
Our commitment to fair, inclusive partnerships extends beyond Europe. Through initiatives like LEAP-RE, which focuses on renewable energy management and autonomous clean energy solutions, LGI aims to establish a long-term EU-African partnership centered on renewables. Our team at LGI helps nurture balanced partnerships where innovation benefits local communities, providing access to clean energy for a broad range of beneficiaries while creating jobs in the renewable sector.
For us, meaningful climate action means combining innovation with cooperation. We are proud to be part of projects that foster lasting partnerships, contribute to the common good, and promote a cleaner environment. Our recipe for efficient climate action is simple: using innovation to minimise environmental impact, mitigate natural risks, and foster collaboration. That’s how we help make the green transition a reality! And this was just a glimpse of what we do — discover more of our projects here.