Launch of the “Decarbonathon”, a Competition to Find Innovations that Mitigate CO2 Emissions and Global Warming

The Decarbonathon is a competition created by the Young Global Leaders initiative of the World Economic Forum, which aims to develop innovations that reduce CO₂ emissions arising from cities in order to fight global warming.

Several global organisations have been involved in the organisation of this event including ENGIE, the Centre for Carbon Measurement of the National Physical Laboratory, Climate-KIC and the National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI).

Participants are invited to propose solutions in several areas: sustainable mobility, energy efficient buildings, sustainable energy production and consumption. Their solutions should be applicable at city level by municipalities or by private citizens in a short period of two to five years.

Registrations can be made until November 22 2015 on www.decarbonathon.org. The teams selected, coached experts, will have three weeks to refine their project ideas before the final hackathon will be held January 14 and 15 2016 in Paris. Following further coaching by science and business coaches at the event, teams will have 10 minutes to present their projects and convince the jury.

The winners will benefit from publicity around the project and direct contact with potential investors. They will also be eligible for a start-up acceleration program with the support of partners of the event, to get these new technologies on the market quickly, in addition to in kind prizes including electric bikes and eco-friendly trips.

Gérard Mestrallet, Chairman and CEO of ENGIE, said: “ENGIE and its partners are committed to support this Young Global Leaders initiative which reflects the Group’s desire to offer the most advanced energy efficiency solutions. It is in line with the strategy of the Group, which is a COP21 partner and whose ambition is to be the leader of the energy transition in Europe and the benchmark energy company in high-growth countries.”