OVERVIEW

Do you want to make lifestyles more sustainable in Asia and the Pacific?

We are looking for early-stage start-ups that make sustainable goods and services more readily available. From low carbon mobility options, to products that reduce plastic waste, to solutions that reduce the carbon footprints of our lifestyles – pitch your solution to us for the chance to win $10,000, training, production of your very own video, and business mentorship from industry experts, and lots more.

Applications are now open
Read more on the Asia Pacific Low Carbon Lifestyles Challenge

Why do we focus on lifestyles in Asia and the Pacific?

Lifestyles in Asia are becoming increasing unsustainable. Economic growth has come with critical environmental challenges – air pollution, plastic waste and greenhouse gas emissions. However, there are signs of hope – Asia is a dynamic hub for innovation and startups. The high profile of marine litter, and climate change has sparked interest among consumers to adopt more sustainable lifestyles. Therefore, we will support young entrepreneurs to develop innovative, scalable startups that enable circular economy through low carbon, low waste business models for Asian consumers.

What do we offer to innovative entrepreneurs?

We support entrepreneurs with innovative solutions that make our lifestyles more sustainable. We provide four activities.

• Bootcamp: Meet your cohort and delve into topics that can help you scale. This year’s topics? Getting investment ready, digital marketing, sustainability.


• Video production: Grab attention online with a professional video that tells your story.


• Carbon footprinting: Can you quantify how sustainable your product is? Our science partners will data crunch with you.


• Partnerships : Industry mentors to help you develop your business strategy, network, and provide technical know-how. You will be invited to a demo day to pitch to investors, and a policy dialogue to share your experiences as an entrepreneur with policymakers.

CATEGORIES

The Asia Pacific Low Carbon Lifestyles Challenge is seeking entrepreneurs/startups in one of the following categories:

• Low carbon energy : can you cut the amount of energy we use in our everyday lives? Can you help make the switch to cleaner source of energy? This category is for you.


• Low carbon mobility : electric vehicles, non-motorised transport, shared mobility – or surprise us with your ideas to help us get from A to B more sustainably.


• Plastic waste prevention : Reuse, sharing, upcycling, extended product lifespans, sustainable materials – the options to reduce plastic waste are endless!

PARTNERS : This is an initiative funded by the Ministry of Environment Japan, as part of the One Planet network (the network of the 10 Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production (10 YFP)). Our partners include the Asia Pacific Roundtable on Sustainable Consumption and Production, Massive Earth Foundation, the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies, Mitsui Chemicals International, GCL Power, Nissan, and Global Urban Village.

CONTACT : For more information, please contact memon@un.org

CRITERIA

Eligibility and judging criteria

Eligibility:
Applicants should be 40 years of age or less; and
Citizens of one of the following countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, People's Republic of China, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Kiribati, Lao, People's Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Mongolia, Myanmar, Nauru, Nepal, Pakistan, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor- Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Cook Islands, Niue.

Judging criteria

• Sustainable? Startups reduce the waste and/or carbon footprint of goods and services in one or more of the following fields: low carbon mobility, waste prevention, energy efficiency.


• Articulated clearly? Startups must have a clear question or problem they will address plus a reasonably specific solution.


• Realistic balance between aspiration and attainability? Startups should be able to generate results within 12 months, with a quick start element for the first 3 months.


• Led by a mission driven founder? Are startups led by someone with the passion, skills, expertise and network to feasibly execute the concept?


• Impact Business Model? A viable, sustainable business model should be positioned in a defined market.


• Measurable? Can the project develop baseline data and measure impact? Eg. energy, material use, kilometers.


• Sustainable beyond the grant period? The startup concept should indicate how it will have lasting impact beyond the implementation period.


• Scalable and replicable? Is this an idea that could be expanded on a large scale or replicated in another sector or country?