Optimism Roundup: Electric Seagliders, Packaging from Plants & Solar-powered Storage

2024 Earthshot Prize Winner Keep IT Cool has begun construction of Kenya’s first and largest solar-powered refrigerated food hub.

Their facility, powered by renewable energy, will have a 70-tonne capacity—seven times greater than their current setup. This will help Keep IT Cool support many more local poultry and fish producers, reducing food waste, cutting carbon emissions, and improving food security across the region.

The hub shows Keep IT Cool’s ongoing commitment to innovating the cold supply chain, setting a powerful example for sustainable practices and making sure fresh produce gets to market efficiently with minimal waste.

The Keep IT Cool team was proud to welcome Earthshot Prize Council Member Wanjira Mathai to the groundbreaking ceremony, whose participation highlighted the importance of this climate-smart investment.

2023 Earthshot Prize finalist ENSO has launched a new range of super-efficient tyres designed to cut tyre pollution from a wider range of electric vehicles.

Rated AA by the EU for energy efficiency (the highest grade available), the tyres have ultra-low rolling resistance, significantly reducing harmful micro-pollutants released into the air. Globally, tyres contribute six million tonnes of pollution each year, making the adoption of tyres like ENSO’s crucial for improving air quality.

While these tyres are currently aimed at high-performance vehicles like Teslas, they have the potential to set the standard for sustainable tyre development. As demand for EVs continues to grow, ENSO’s innovation in tyre design is key to helping everyone breathe cleaner air.

Earthshot Prize nominee REGENT recently completed the first sea trial of its prototype electric passenger seaglider, marking a major step towards zero-emissions coastal transport.

The battery-powered craft uses hydrofoils to lift itself above the water at low speeds, then skims just above the surface to travel faster while using less energy. Designed to carry passengers at speeds of up to 180 mph, the seaglider can cover distances of up to 180 miles on a single charge.

By combining the speed of a small plane with the efficiency of electric propulsion, REGENT’s design could cut emissions from one of the most overlooked parts of transport: short regional hops across water.

Commercial services are expected to launch by 2028.

Chennai-based startup GreenPod Labs, an Earthshot Prize nominee, has been selected by Walmart in the United States for a supply chain pilot aimed at reducing food waste.

GreenPod’s packaging uses plant extracts to activate the natural defences of the fruits and vegetables it protects. This slows ripening and reduces spoilage, extending shelf life without the need for cold storage or chemical preservatives. In countries like India, where up to 40% of fresh produce is lost before reaching consumers, the potential impact is huge.

As part of the pilot, the solution will be tested on mangoes shipped from Peru to the US, in collaboration with the University of California. If successful, it could reshape how fresh produce is preserved and transported worldwide.

South Korean innovator Simple Planet, an Earthshot Prize nominee, has received approval from the Korea Muslim Federation recognising its lab-grown meat products as Halal.

This is a key step towards full Halal certification, helping expand access to cultivated protein for Muslim consumers around the world.

Simple Planet’s cultivated meat is grown from animal cells, creating a slaughter-free alternative that’s nutritionally close to conventional meat. It offers a more ethical and sustainable way to meet the world’s growing demand for protein.

With over 1.9 billion Muslims worldwide, many of whom observe Halal dietary practices, this recognition opens the door to more inclusive, sustainable food choices and highlights the global potential of cultivated meat.