What is the U Eco Mechanical Pencil?

The U Eco Mechanical Pencil is a mechanical pencil made from recycled materials and designed to be more sustainable than traditional pencils. Unlike regular pencils that require sharpening and produce waste, mechanical pencils are refillable, reducing the need for constant replacements. The “U Eco” in the name emphasizes its environmentally friendly design, making it a popular choice for those who want to reduce their ecological footprint.

Key Features:

• Material: Made from recycled plastic or biodegradable materials.
• Refillable: Compatible with various lead refills, reducing the need for multiple pencils.
• Design: Ergonomic and stylish, available in multiple colors.
• Packaging: Often packaged in recyclable or minimalistic materials.

Why Choose a Mechanical Pencil Over Traditional Pencils?

Mechanical pencils, like the U Eco, offer several advantages over traditional wooden pencils. Here’s a quick comparison:

Advantages of Mechanical Pencils:

• Consistency: Provides a constant line thickness without needing to be sharpened.
• Eco-Friendly: Reduces waste by eliminating the need for sharpening and allowing for refills.
• Cost-Effective: While the initial investment might be higher, the long-term savings are significant due to the refillable nature of the pencil.

The Environmental Impact of the U Eco Mechanical Pencil

One of the most compelling reasons to switch to the U Eco Mechanical Pencil is its positive environmental impact. Traditional wooden pencils require the cutting down of trees, contributing to deforestation. In contrast, the U Eco Mechanical Pencil is made from recycled or biodegradable materials, reducing the need for new resources.

Real-Time Data on Environmental Impact:

• Deforestation: An estimated 82,000 trees are cut down annually to produce pencils.
• Plastic Waste: Over 8 million tons of plastic enter the oceans each year, with single-use products contributing significantly. The U Eco Mechanical Pencil helps reduce this by being refillable and made from recycled materials.
• Carbon Footprint: The production of traditional pencils involves significant carbon emissions due to the processing of wood and transportation. The U Eco’s use of recycled materials lowers its overall carbon footprint.

How to Refill and Maintain Your U Eco Mechanical Pencil

Maintaining your U Eco Mechanical Pencil is simple and ensures that it lasts for a long time. Here’s a quick guide:

Steps to Refill:

1. Open the Pencil: Twist or pull the top section to access the lead compartment.
2. Insert New Lead: Gently insert the new lead into the compartment.
3. Close the Pencil: Secure the top section back into place.
4. Test: Press the pencil’s mechanism to check if the lead advances smoothly.

Maintenance Tips:

• Cleaning: Occasionally clean the pencil’s mechanism to prevent lead dust from clogging it.
• Storage: Store the pencil in a dry place to avoid moisture damage.
• Lead Type: Use the recommended lead type to prevent breakage and ensure smooth writing.

Design and Aesthetic Appeal

The U Eco Mechanical Pencil is not just functional but also aesthetically pleasing. Its design caters to both minimalists and those who enjoy a pop of color in their stationery.

Design Features:

• Ergonomic Grip: Designed for comfort during long writing sessions.
• Sleek Body: Smooth, sleek design available in various colors.
• Customizable: Some versions allow for personalized engravings or designs.

Popular Color Options:

• Classic Black: A timeless choice for professionals.
• Eco Green: Reflects the pencil’s sustainable ethos.
• Vibrant Blue: Adds a touch of fun to your writing routine.

Cost-Effectiveness of the U Eco Mechanical Pencil

While the initial cost of a U Eco Mechanical Pencil might be higher than a pack of traditional pencils, it is important to consider the long-term savings.

Cost Breakdown:

Long-Term Savings:

• Refillable: The ability to refill the pencil significantly reduces ongoing costs.
• Durability: Made to last, reducing the frequency of replacement.

Who’s Using the U Eco Mechanical Pencil?

The U Eco Mechanical Pencil is gaining popularity in various sectors, from education to corporate settings.

Examples:

• Schools: Many eco-conscious schools are opting for U Eco pencils to teach students about sustainability.
• Offices: Corporations focused on reducing their carbon footprint are providing U Eco pencils to employees.
• Artists: The precision and eco-friendly design make it a favorite among sketch artists and designers.

Commercial Production and Market Popularity

The U Eco Mechanical Pencil is produced by several leading manufacturers known for their commitment to sustainability and innovation in the stationery industry. Top providers include brands like Pentel, Pilot, and Faber-Castell, all of which have introduced eco-friendly lines to meet growing consumer demand. The pencil’s popularity has surged, particularly in markets where eco-consciousness is a significant factor in purchasing decisions. In regions such as North America, Europe, and parts of Asia, the U Eco Mechanical Pencil has become a staple in schools, offices, and homes. Its market success is driven by a combination of sustainability, durability, and the rising trend of eco-friendly products. As consumers continue to prioritize environmental impact, the U Eco Mechanical Pencil is poised to become even more popular in the years to come.

U Brands U Eco Mechanical Pencil: A Popular Choice for Eco-Conscious Consumers

The U Brands U Eco Mechanical Pencil is a standout product in the eco-friendly stationery market, known for its commitment to sustainability and innovative design. U Brands has crafted this pencil using 80% recycled materials, making it an excellent choice for consumers looking to reduce their environmental footprint. The pencil features a sleek, modern design with a comfortable grip, perfect for long writing sessions. It is refillable, further enhancing its eco-credentials by minimizing waste. Available in a variety of stylish colors, the U Brands U Eco Mechanical Pencil appeals to both students and professionals. Pricing is competitive, typically ranging from $5 to $10, making it accessible to a wide audience without compromising on quality or sustainability. Its popularity stems from the combination of affordability, functionality, and a strong commitment to the environment, making it a preferred choice for those who value both style and sustainability.

Key Takeaways

The U Eco Mechanical Pencil is more than just a writing tool; it’s a step towards a sustainable future. With its eco-friendly materials, refillable design, and cost-effectiveness, it’s an excellent choice for anyone looking to reduce their environmental impact without compromising on quality.

Key Benefits:

• Sustainability: Made from recycled or biodegradable materials.
• Cost-Effective: Long-term savings due to its refillable nature.
• Stylish Design: Available in various colors and ergonomic designs.
• Versatility: Suitable for a wide range of users, from students to professionals.

FAQs About the U Eco Mechanical Pencil

Q: What materials are used in the U Eco Mechanical Pencil?
A: The U Eco Mechanical Pencil is made from recycled plastic or biodegradable materials, depending on the model.

Q: How long does a U Eco Mechanical Pencil last?
A: With proper care and regular refills, a U Eco Mechanical Pencil can last for several years.

Q: Is the U Eco Mechanical Pencil suitable for artists?
A: Yes, its precision and consistent line thickness make it a great choice for artists.

Q: Can I recycle the U Eco Mechanical Pencil?
A: Yes, the pencil itself is often recyclable, and the packaging is typically made from recyclable materials as well.

Q: Where can I buy the U Eco Mechanical Pencil?
A: The U Eco Mechanical Pencil is available online and in various stationery stores that focus on eco-friendly products.

The U Eco Mechanical Pencil is an excellent choice for anyone looking to combine functionality with environmental responsibility. Whether you’re a student, professional, or artist, this pencil offers a sustainable solution without compromising on quality or design.

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Traditional lighting might be harmful to the environment but with the use of modern technologies, environmental-friendly lightings have finally arrived! Yes, we are talking about LED lights here! Still wondering what are there advantages? We’ve got you covered! Here are the top 5 reasons why LED lights are good for the environment:

1. LED Lights are Energy Efficient

LED lights are energy efficient. It means that they use less electricity than traditional lightings like a fluorescent light. They are believed to produce 95% light and 5% heat which is way better than the 5% light and 95% heat produced by traditional lightings. By this reason, it will not cost you much in the long run with regards to electric bills.

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Remember that if the lightings you use are energy efficient  LED lights, it will have a positive effect to the environment. Simply because if we reduce the use of electricity, there’s a lesser chance of power plants to burn fuel to provide electricity. Furthermore, the gas being emitted by power plants can cause the thickening of the ozone layer and a lot more pollution. So, less usage of electricity, the more it is beneficial for the environment.

2. LED Lights are Long Lasting

You no longer need to think of budgeting money for your lighting needs. With LED lights, you can be sure that they will last longer than what you’ve expected. Traditional lights may seem to be cheap in price but they are made to be replaced in just a short time. Thus, giving you a whole lot of problem in purchasing one after another.

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Moreover, LED lights tend to last longer, keeping the environment free from waste. This way, you can be sure that you’re not just saving yourself some added charges or expenses, but also saving the environment from waste materials.

3. LED Lights are Not Harmful

Little did everyone know that the use of traditional lights like fluorescent and incandescent carries a harmful material that will damage the environment upon disposal. Traditional lights carry a chemical called mercury which is very toxic. However, unlike traditional light, LED lights don’t carry any harmful material, assured by the 100% satisfaction of throwing them properly without giving any damage to the environment.

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Additionally, you don’t have to keep on disposing LED lights every now and then as they are long-lasting than traditional lightings. This means that if you don’t throw away things, even if they are not toxic, it will still give the environment less waste.

4. LED Lights have Better Lighting Capacity

As we’ve mentioned above, LED lights produce 95% light, in contrast to traditional lights which only have 5% light. You can be sure that the light distribution of LED lights is way better than traditional lights. For example, if you have to light a whole room, you might be needing a lot of fluorescent because the light distribution is not that bright. This will consume more energy that will result in the emission of toxic waste which will add more damage to the environment.

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However, the use of LED light in just one whole room is enough. They are well distributed in order to give equal illumination of the room without giving you their heating while functioning feels. Giving you the best possible way of less energy consumption and toxic waste emission of power plants.

5. LED Lights are Durable

LED lights are composed of sturdy materials that can work best anywhere and in any given season! Since they only give off 5% heat, the chance of adapting any weather season is guaranteed may it be hot, cold, or anything in between. They are ideal to be placed indoor, outdoor, or anywhere you want them, without having doubts that they might overheat.

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Additionally, some LED lights have a solar powered feature which is best used in places where electric supply is not good. What’s more environmentally-friendly than lighting which uses solar power to work and doesn’t undergo any chemical process that might damage the environment?

Conclusion

Given the problems we are already facing for our environment nowadays, there’s nothing else we can do more but to lend a helping hand to our mother nature. So, it’s now time to switch to LED lights for your home now! You will not only save energy, money, and other lighting expenses but will also get to see the better disposition of our environment today and for the coming years!

For many nations, this isn’t just a matter of saving the planet: their ultimate ambition is to transition to a 100% renewable, self-sustainable future. This will eliminate their reliance on fossil fuels exported from other countries, removing the uncertainty of fluctuating prices and geopolitical strife, and giving these nations complete energy independence.

Yet while most of Europe has gone full steam ahead with their renewable plans, one of its biggest economies and energy producers has failed to install a single coastal wind turbine. Despite being the world’s second largest producer of nuclear energy, France hasn’t been sold on renewables yet – but this may all be about to change.

Power play

France is one of the world’s biggest energy producers and energy exporters, with utility company EDF producing 22% of Europe’s energy. As with most other utilities in France, these utility companies are also government-owned. As investing in renewable energy is in the government’s interests, it should in theory be straightforward and sensible to support it.

Yet France isn’t just underutilised in terms of renewable energy production – it’s not been utilised at all. Heavy reliance on nuclear power has meant that its tenable coastline on the Atlantic side alone – 40,000 square miles with some of the best wind speeds and locations for turbines anywhere in Europe – remains completely unused. Even hydroelectricity, which makes up about 20% of installed capacity, has been stymied by an absence of private sector competition.

The complicating factor is France’s long-standing love affair with nuclear. The country of Marie and Pierre Curie is still hooked on atomic energy, with 75% of its demand being served by nuclear power plants, and the remaining 25% being mostly hydroelectric and thermal power. The country’s utility companies aren’t even investing in wind turbines elsewhere, with only 0.1% of EDF’s total output coming from wind power.

Renewed focus

Successive French governments have recognised the problem with renewables, and had tried in vain to engineer a solution. The previous socialist government set a mandatory target of 40% renewable energy production by 2030, more than double what France produced at that time. They also tried to fund wind power initiatives directly, putting out tenders in 2012 and 2014 for up to 3,000 MW of capacity. Both remain in effect, and yet both are still far from completion.

The tenders would have represented 11 billion euros of investment, and the government was careful to only accept more costly proposals that involved French components and businesses. Yet people have not been placated. Locals have consistently campaigned against the turbines around the coast, stating that they are eyesores. It seems that nobody wants to be the first place to host them, perhaps fearing that tourism will be negatively affected as much as anything else.

Faced with this opposition, local authorities also cut funding schemes and other support measures, and as of 2019, both of these tenders were dead in the water. Yet the country has found itself at something of an impasse. Older nuclear power plants are in the process of being shut, with two due to close in 2020. A next-generation plant set to open in 2012 is still under construction following numerous setbacks, while similar issues with Hinkley Point in the UK – another plant co-sponsored by EDF – have forced a rethink.

Winds of change

While many still praise the value and longevity of nuclear power plants, the reality is that recent projects around the world have run over time and over budget – and that there are new options which may be both cheaper and safer. While high standards around nuclear power have prevented any major incidents in Europe since Chernobyl, the Fukushima disaster showed that climate change can ruin even the best-laid plans.

The pressure on the French government to act on climate targets is also coming to bear. President Macron may have been cowed somewhat by the gilet jaunes protests, but climate policies were at the heart of his manifesto, and his plans remain in motion. The government has opened a more modest tender for 600 MW of capacity in the northern town of Dunkirk, away from the problem areas on the west coast.

Renewable energy also fits with another area of focus for Macron: cutting-edge technology. Under his leadership as both Minister for Technology and as President, France has massively increased its presence at international electronics shows, and has poured billions into tech startups around the country. As well as increasing investments from national investment bank Bpifrance, Macron has recently announced 700 million euros of investment into electric battery production, as part of a bid to shore up the French auto industry.

The example of France’s neighbours is also likely to come to bear. The UK, Germany, Belgium and Sweden are all among the world’s foremost producers of renewable energy, with the wind capacity alone to power millions of homes. The UK looks set to continue this after Brexit, with a new record for renewable energy production in Q3 2018, and research finding that it remains the most attractive country for investment. This bid to pioneer energy technology could force France into an arms race, lest it lose its place as Europe’s chief power producer.

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There is no doubt that some hurdles still have to be jumped before renewables take pride of place in France. Yet countries such as the UK faced similar protests about wind turbines damaging beautiful landscapes when they were first introduced, and the issue has almost been forgotten. The French are well known for their resistance to change (see the Académie française), but in this case, the fate of the world – and the economy – is about to force their hand.

Former journalist Katya Puyraud is the co-owner of Euro Start Entreprises, specialising in company formation in France and the rest of the EU. Since 2007 Euro Start Entreprises has helped budding digital nomads, entrepreneurs and expanding SMEs to open their companies in over 30 countries worldwide.

Building an eco-friendly home takes a little extra effort, but it certainly can be done, and we should all encourage it.

Here are some quick tips on how to go about doing so.

Go Recycled and Biodegradable

Try to reuse building materials instead of letting the builders buy everything new. Biodegradable materials reduce pollution and are often more energy efficient. Use recycled wood, pre-used plastic sheeting, and repurposed glass wherever possible for aneco-friendlier home.

Consider Home Design Carefully

With the growing trend for tiny homes, there’s certainly a move away from enormous homes for their own sake, especially when thinking about their upkeep, heating costs, and land use.

It’s worth taking extra time to consider the design of the home first from an energy efficiency perspective. Things like where the windows will be placed make a differencewith letting more natural light into the home. Using less lighting during the day reduces the eventual utility bill.

Considering how each area of the home will be used improves space allocation. Rooms can be planned based on where the occupants will spend more of their time. This makes it far less about showing off where you live and more about creating a fully functional space.

Pre-fabricated Walls without the Fuss

Using Cubirock produced by Maccaferri, a significant product engineering firm, you get stronger gabion retaining walls in less time. This is because these gabions aren’t setup and filled when you ready to put the wall together. Instead, they’re pre-engineered before delivery using additional wire mesh that’s woven into the material to help it hold together during transportation and positioning.

On sites that want to work efficiently and without the mess, using gabion retaining walls is an excellent idea. For those who want to know how strong are gabion retaining walls, they’re at least as robust as any other gabion wall and should be stronger because of the mesh which gives it extra rigidity. Less mess at the work site also helps to keep the area cleaner too.

Don’t Forget About Adequate Insulation

We can sometimes neglect insulation until we suffer through another chilly winter. Don’t make that mistake. Use eco-friendly materials for insulation that assist with air flow during the summer to avoid creating a home that’s more like an oven. That same material can also contain heat that rises to the ceiling and roof area, preventing it from escaping.

Don’t forget about wall insulation too.Bear in mind too that considerable heat is lost out of doorways and windows, so think about how the home needs to be designed to prevent the heat loss.

It isn’t difficult to get your head around using eco-friendly building materials and thinking about energy conservation within building design. Whether that means reorganising the floor plan to provide greater light or adjusting what materials are used to let cool air out and retain warmer air come winter time, it all helps to reduce the energy usage. And the less energy we use, the better it is for the environment.

With stories continuing to emerge of record polar ice melts and increasing emissions, positive action on climate change has never been more pressing. Yet the United States, one of the world’s largest countries and most prominent polluters, has performed a policy U-turn at federal level. The current government hasn’t just expressed doubt over climate science; it’s actively rolled back protections and shifted focus to the production of dirty energy.

Thankfully, the signs are that American businesses and localities aren’t paying this too much heed. While many have come around to the ecological benefits of green business, they are increasingly seeing the economic potential, too. Businesses across the country, from red to blue states, have seen that being environmentally conscious isn’t just a way to win over an audience or save the planet: it makes good business sense.

Rolling back the years

It perhaps goes without saying that the evidence for human-assisted climate change has never been stronger. But the effects have also never been worse. New evidence suggests the polar ice caps are melting three times faster than was anticipated, contributing some 219 billion metric tons of water to the oceans each year. That’s enough to raise the overall ocean level by around 1mm – or alternatively, to submerge Texas up to 13 feet.

This is an obvious concern to the many low-lying areas in the United States and around the world. Florida is seen to be at severe risk from rising tides, while California could lose the mountain snow that fuels its freshwater consumption. Yet the decisions by the current administration seem to fly in the face of accepted logic and have gone against many of the protections afforded by prior administrations.

The head of the Environmental Protection Agency, Scott Pruitt, has come in for particular criticism. Under his watch, the EPA has slashed funding to many of its offices, committed to review more than 50 regulations, axed over 800 staff, removed a dozen scientists from its advisory board and repealed the Clean Power Plan. He is now working to repeal the Clean Water Rule, and has been embroiled in several scandals, including spending millions of dollars on security details and first-class flights.

Feds vs states

With the official line backing fossil fuels and voicing skepticism about climate change, it would be easy to think that America’s businesses and local governments might regress, too. But the signs are that opinions have shifted more or less across party lines, and that progress continues – if not unabated, then certainly unconcerned. Nowhere is this better epitomized than the efforts of the U.S. Climate Alliance, a group involving 17 governors and representing 40% of the U.S. population.

Much of the opprobrium over climate conscious policies has centered on their supposed economic impact and the idea that being green is an impediment to business – that eco-friendly policies serve to make American businesses more competitive. The governors only have to point to statistics to refute this: their states are reducing emissions faster than the rest of the country and are also expanding their per capita economic output twice as quickly. Climate and clean energy related investments have created 1.3 million jobs and contributed billions to a collective $9 trillion economy.

What’s important to note is that the states taking advantage of clean energy and green business frequently cut across party lines. Deep red state Texas is the country’s largest producer of renewable energy, while Iowa, Oklahoma, Kansas, North Dakota and South Dakota all top the charts for the highest proportion of total energy consumption generated through renewable sources.

Wind and solar power are historically cheap, while the development of efficient battery storage technology is eliminating the issue of downtime in production. Americans opinions have changed too – 74% now believe climate change is caused by human actions, and 68% are highly conscious of the issue and their own carbon footprints.

Success stories

When a California based solar panel manufacturer defaulted on a $500 million loan in 2011, critics railed against the renewables industry. Yet the state persisted, and continued to incentivize green tech. The Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) made $80 million available to new low carbon energy projects; this amount has recently been doubled, with a large proportion designated to energy storage projects. Between 2008 and 2015, California saw over $20 billion invested in renewable power plants.

Electric car maker Tesla also remains the state’s largest manufacturing presence. Electric cars are popular in California, not least because of the state’s stringent emissions laws. Their proactiveness has been seen as a major factor in California’s reputation for green tech innovation: Silicon Valley alone leads the country in green tech patents and clean vehicle rebates. Two thirds of all clean tech investments in the country went to California, making it an increasingly popular destination for transport tech and manufacturing firms.

Cleantech, once an industry of big promises and meagre rewards, is making a significant comeback. The $92 million fund Congruent Ventures is only the most recent of many programs across the country: others include the billion-dollar Bill Gates funded Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Green Bay Ventures, and 1955 Capital, a fund aiming to create cleantech partnerships between the United States and China.

The excitement isn’t limited to Silicon Valley, however. Numerous states have seen the realities of climate change hitting home and spy an opportunity to gain energy independence and establish new, forward thinking economies. Georgia is a particular success story, with utility companies driving a fivefold increase in solar power over just five years; this has occurred in spite of unsupportive state policies and has driven down costs for both the business and citizens. And Maine is seeking both to protect itself from the effects of climate change and reap a few potential benefits, with trade routes opening up to Nordic nations.

Green businesses are ultimately predicated on developing technology, and its these technologies that are driving economic growth. The economic reality is increasingly impressing itself on the average Joe too, with studies suggesting that a substantial rise in clean energy production could lower wholesale prices by more than 25%. With solar, wind and other technologies getting cheaper by the day, and cleantech startups hard at work, businesses across America will hope to limit the impact of their administration.

Article Contributed by Katya Puyraud:
Former journalist Katya Puyraud is the co-owner of Euro Start Entreprises, specialising in company formation in France and the rest of the EU. Since 2007 Euro Start Entreprises has helped budding digital nomads, entrepreneurs and expanding SMEs to open their companies in over 30 countries worldwide.

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Plastic Is (Almost) Forever

Every time you purchase something at a supermarket and carry it home in a plastic bag, you are generating demand for those bags. Did you know that it can take up to 1,000 years for a plastic bag to biodegrade? Even the most “eco-friendly” plastic bags take around 20 years to decompose. Sadly, only around one percent of plastic bags actually end up being recycled, meaning that the remaining 99 percent wind up in our landfills, oceans and other natural areas.

More Plastic Consumption = Higher Oil Prices

A meaningful amount of the oil we use is ultimately funneled into the production of plastic products. With more than ten million barrels of oil per year being used to make plastic bags in the US alone, the demand for this oil justifies increased demand – and therefore higher prices – for oil overall. The more demand for oil that exists, the more likely it is that oil prices are to increase or remain steady. A reduction in plastic bag consumption, combined with overall reductions in plastic use, can help drastically reduce oil consumption and therefore lower prices.

Reusable Bags Are More Durable

Don’t you just hate it when those flimsy plastic bags break and spill your shopping items everywhere? One great thing about switching to reusable custom printed bags is that you won’t have to worry about durability. Reusable bags are made to last and can hold more weight than a traditional plastic bag. This means that you’ll need to make fewer trips to the car and back when bringing in the groceries, and won’t end up wasting money on items that get damaged when the plastic bag inevitably fails.

Plastic Bags Are Killing the Ocean

More than ten percent of the garbage that washes up on our shores are from plastic bags. The amount of plastic we’re putting into the ocean is incredible and it is having adverse effects on the environment, with a huge chunk of it being plastic bags. Not only does this harm the environment directly, but it leads to the deaths of thousands of birds, fish and other forms of sea life that become trapped or suffocate in the plastic bags. For the creatures in our ponds, streams and oceans, plastic bag usage is literally a matter of life and death.

Now that you’re familiar with the damage that plastic bags can do, you hopefully have new motivation to switch to reusable bags. There are plenty of other reasons to consider making the switch, but these four reasons touch on all of the main points and motivations for doing so.

The problem for the President is that as well as this plays with his core demographic, there is more at stake than America falling behind in climate responsibility. New industries are developing rapidly around green technology, something European businesses have cottoned onto. Silicon Valley may cover some of the creative deficit when it comes to keeping the US competitive, but the world’s wealthiest nation could miss out on a major industrial revolution.

Image courtesy of the UNFCCC, via Flickr

The business of greentech

European figureheads like Angela Merkel and Emmanuel Macron have responded bluntly to Trump’s decision. Macron was particularly bold, making a pointed speech that called for France and its allies to ‘Make the planet great again’. Along with the pair’s firm handshake when they met on Trump’s European tour, this approach has played well with the French public.

In most cases the defence of the Paris agreement speaks to the genuine challenges posed by climate change, and an honest attempt to mitigate the future damage it could cause across the globe. However, the sudden change of rhetoric from nations such as China and Russia also hints at another side to the story: that greentech is about to be big business.

For China, investment in renewable energy and other green technologies is the perfect fillip to its growing global presence. The government has pledged a colossal £292 billion of investment in global renewable power projects over the next three years, and they show every sign of delivering. This acts as both a tremendous PR move and an effort to get a leg up on the competition. Contributing this amount to so many countries, particularly developing nations, could be advantageous both to the government and the country’s future business interests.

In Europe, what can’t be achieved through direct investment is being achieved through policy. A number of nations have now independently laid out timelines for phasing out petrol and diesel automobiles. France plans to end sales by 2040, while the Netherlands has touted an even more optimistic date of 2025. Even Germany, where more petrol and diesel cars are produced than anywhere else, is apparently keen on a 2030 deadline.

Clean companies

On the face of it this would seem self-destructive. As mentioned, Europe – and particularly France and Germany – has an enormous output of petrol and diesel vehicles. But what’s important, and perhaps even more surprising, is that manufacturers are following suit. Volvo recently announced that they would only sell electric or hybrid cars by 2025, while French company Renault-Nissan has committed significant resources to electric vehicles, claiming around 15% of the nascent European market.

Evidence of this sea change exists in the technology sector, too. While Silicon Valley and the broader United States still dominate on the global stage, the EU is making major inroads. Paris’ new Station F startup hub is only the latest expansion in a world-leading tech landscape, consisting of a dozen designated tech cities, and a record Consumer Electronics Show delegation.

State investment bank BpiFrance paid out almost 200 million euros last year, and has earmarked another 400 million. It is quickly catching up to the UK, currently Europe’s leading destination for startups, with the economical and diverse Berlin scene close behind. This concentration of talent is important. Germany’s car industry has long been worried about its competitiveness in software, with only a handful of German software companies in the top 100 worldwide.

In French President Emmanuel Macron – a former champion of the La French Tech programme – they may have a significant advocate and ally. France is a particularly strong producer of STEM graduates, and the two countries could prosper with alliances between their industries, startup sectors and universities. Germany’s car industry meanwhile will be keen to catch up with France, where Peugeot, Citroën and Renault currently create the world’s 1st, 2nd and 3rd lowest emission cars.

Power shift

The greatest signal of this shift in business opinion is the energy industry itself. Oil, coal and gas giants, which for decades relied on profits from coal and oil (and reputedly noted the effects of fossil fuels before anyone else), have begun to divest their interests into renewables. Shell, ExxonMobil and Saudi Aramco have all made substantial investments in clean energy, battery technology and ‘carbon capture and storage (CCS)’ in the last few years; Shell have created an entirely new, $200 million division for acquisitions and investments, while French firm Total has invested some 2.4 billion euros in clean energy acquisitions, promising a further £500m each year.

With companies like Ford keeping car making jobs in America, President Trump may be convinced that the investment will keep on coming. But ignoring renewables stands not only to dissuade big businesses and stifle innovation; it will impact small businesses too. This is not just an issue for tech startups, who may find it difficult to find business in partisan states.

Renewables in many instances now mean cheaper energy, thanks to the ‘always on’ nature of wind and hydropower.

This is not to mention the public health benefits, another key driver in Europe and China, where pollution has become a more public issue. Cities including Barcelona and Paris have already implemented diesel bans due to pollution warnings from the EU, with London being urged to follow suit. The savings from reduced rates of cancer and respiratory problems would alleviate the burden on all healthcare system, including America’s – perhaps a better alternative to shelving the Affordable Care Act.

For all the political jousting around climate change, renewable energy has developed to the point where it is not only viable, but desirable. Europe has joined with both businesses and citizens in recognising this potential, and setting out a roadmap to better futures for both industry and the environment. It remains to be seen if America can stay competitive in spite of its administration.

Article Contributed by Katya Puyraud:
Former journalist Katya Puyraud is the co-owner of Euro Start Entreprises, specialising in company formation in France and the rest of the EU. Since 2007 Euro Start Entreprises has helped budding digital nomads, entrepreneurs and expanding SMEs to open their companies in over 30 countries worldwide.