Innovation has become the new buzzword across the globe. International organisations, governments, corporates, academia and society see it as the answer to the major economic, social and environmental transformations challenging the models of the 20th century.
Innovations are occurring worldwide and alternative solutions to the existing problems are emerging in all sectors: electric cars, organic farming, renewable energy and e-learning are good examples. These alternatives can be ascribed with qualities such as decentralized frugal, flexible, smart and democratic, virtues that are lacking in conventional models. They are attributed with the potential to meet the overall global challenges such as climate change and the growing inequalities between and within countries.
What is the real potential of innovation? Does the rapid deployment of innovations lead towards a more sustainable and inclusive society? Can innovations and the emerging alternatives replace conventional models? Beyond technologies, what institutional innovations are required to support sustainable development?
A Planet for Life 2014 aims to answer these questions and explore innovation in all its aspects, through a series of texts written by international experts. The objective of this book is to analyse experiences from across the world and the role of innovation in a variety of areas of development such as urbanization, agriculture and food, the mobility of people and freight, education and the provision of water and energy to all.
The full Dossier is downloadable here.
A Planet for Life is a publication on sustainable development, which combines the analyses of experts and practitioners from all over the world, giving the perspective of both Northern and Southern countries. Its principle: the diversity of observations. Since its creation in 2007, around 500 authors from all subject areas have contributed to it.
A Planet for Life was published every year in hard copy until 2015, each Annual focusing on a specific topic. In 2016, A Planet for Life has become a digital platform making available to everyone for free 10 years of expertise and analysis, as well as maps, agendas, etc. New issues are also regularly explored and presented online.
