Hyundai, UNDP present sustainable solutions pitched to ‘for Tomorrow’

Korean automotive manufacturer Hyundai Motor Company (HMC) presented sustainable solutions on a global scale through a video—following the launch of its “for Tomorrow” project six months back with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

 The video features three sustainable living solutions collated from those submitted by grassroots local innovators from around the world.

The “for Tomorrow” campaign, launched last year, welcomed and enabled innovators worldwide bidding to help their respective communities “move towards a more livable future.” The solutions submitted ranged from hands-on, in-the-field initiatives to digital, data-driven innovations.

Narrated by “for Tomorrow” ambassador Jessica Alba, the video indicates the second phase of the project, themed “Sustainable Cities and Communities.” HMC said that “innovators will get support from sustainability experts from this month.

Hyundai Motor Executive Vice President and Global Chief Marketing Officer Thomas Schemera expressed optimism about the collaboration with UNDP.

“Our partnership with UNDP is very meaningful to us. Corporate citizenship is essential to ensuring a better quality of life for communities everywhere, which is why Hyundai Motor is collaborating with the UNDP to help nurture and advance sustainable social entrepreneurship initiatives and innovations,” Schemera was quoted as saying.

“In the last six months of our partnership, we've seen a lot of solutions that inspire us. I hope these solutions will be the seeds of innovation that will make a better future. In line with our brand vision ‘Progress for Humanity,’ we will continue to contribute to becoming a sustainable society with a sense of corporate citizenship.”

Meanwhile, UNDP Accelerator Labs Special Advisor Joseph D'Cruz reciprocated HMC’s positive view on the initiative.

 “The goal of ‘for Tomorrow’ is to tap into innovation to accelerate progress towards Sustainable Development Goals. Working with Hyundai Motor, we want to connect with innovators around the world and help find those local solutions that are key to the evolution of topics such as mobility, waste management and urban living. This brings the work done by the 91 Accelerator Labs around the world to a whole new level and extend our reach like never before,” D'Cruz noted.

Alba, the project ambassador, shared that the video shows some of the innovators who wanted to provide solutions.

“Many people wake up every morning wanting to contribute to positive change and wondering how they can do it,” she shared.

“This film is about some of the members of the ‘for Tomorrow’ community who are acting on that desire. It’s about the challenges they face, the solutions they come up with, and how they’re improving life in their communities and beyond.”

On the said video, three inspiring stories were highlighted that are eyed to empower people working to create positive changes in their communities through sustainable means:

• Nigeria: Solar Streetlights by Onah Angela Amaka

With her background in electrical engineering, Amaka created and introduced solar-powered lanterns to her community as many people in her town do not have access to lighting after dark. The eco-friendly solar lamps have created a positive socioeconomic impact within her community, by improving health and security, allowing children to read longer, as well as creating business opportunities by exposing people to the benefits of solar energy technology. 

• Nepal: Green Energy Mobility by Sonika Manandhar and Tiffany Tong

Kathmandu, Nepal’s electric buses, commonly known as safa tempo, have been driven by women for a quarter century. While this is the case, women still face challenges receiving financial support to maintain their transportation services in a male-dominated industry. Manandhar and Tong created Green Energy Mobility (GEM), to give aid by increasing financial inclusion for women electric vehicle drivers by making renewable energy-powered public transportation a quality alternative to private vehicles to combat climate change.

• United Kingdom: Real Ice by Cian Sherwin

To combat the effects of climate change, Sherwin and his team have developed and concept-tested prototypes of re-icing machines in an effort to replenish Arctic ice after learning that melting icebergs caused sea levels to rise and some communities in Wales need to move away from their current locations within the next 50 years if not addressed. The technology behind the machines was developed with the assistance of Bangor University, and the finished products will be operated by indigenous people of the Arctic regions.

Further, Hyundai Motor and UNDP said that they have received numerous other submissions — not shown in the video — from 30 different countries since the initiative was launched. The project will continue to accept submissions until late this year via www.fortomorrow.org

The solutions will be supplemented and implemented with the connectors such as environmentalist David Mayer de Rothschild and the UNDP Accelerator Labs. The involvement will begin in May and the final results will be announced in September.

Photos from Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc.

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