#economy

The transition to a decarbonised economy is not only essential to halting climate change, but is also a driver of economic growth with the potential to create millions of green jobs. We are talking about jobs aimed directly at protecting the environment or which seek to minimise impact on the health of the planet.

Startups are emerging companies with a small but very agile and brilliant structure, the result of groundbreaking ideas with which entrepreneurs want to change the world. They have a scalable business model, adopting technology and innovation as the basis for their growth. The difference with respect to an SME lies not only in their capacity to innovate, but also in their flexibility to adapt to changes and in their customer focus.

Open innovation is an invitation for people within a corporation — employees — and also those from outside of it — suppliers, clients, entrepreneurs, start-ups, etc. — to provide their knowledge to drive new projects and generate value. The term isn't new, but self-managed team work is still in at a very early phase in the business sector.

The fight against climate change needs more than just good intentions. Adaptation and mitigation processes, crucial to stopping the planet from deteriorating over the coming decades, requires financing, and this flow of money can come from both private and public sources. The United Nations, though the UNFCCC, is responsible for supervising transfers from developed to developing countries.

Environmental taxes are those designed to tax behaviour that is harmful to the planet's health. They are based on a simple principle — those who pollute, pay — and are essential to halting climate change. Here we tell you their advantages, how much they collect and some of the criticisms.

Every year, 13 million tons of plastic end up in the oceans. A Spanish researcher, David Espinosa, has received an international award for his innovative project for the mass recycling of such packaging.