Clean The Air

---

WHY

The COVID-19 crisis disrupted everyday routines but also created the opportunity for many to stop and reflect on the state of the world. Many heavy carbon foot printing activities slow downed coinciding with visibly cleaner air quality.  Do you remember how blue the sky was when in lockdown? Do you remember how wildlife returned to urban areas? Do you remember our sense of regeneration and wellbeing as a result? 

Many studies show the correlation with health and air quality. A study on air quality during lock down showed that climate variables revealed strong correlation with COVID-19 morbidity and mortality.*  Pollution costs the world 3 trillion dollars in decreased productivity. ** We want to accelerate actions in delivering sustainable and responsible products, processes and carbon foot printing. This makes the business more competitive, resilient and attractive for employees, customers and investors. *** With better air quality and overall environment and community health as a result. Clean the Air and align your business with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.  This projects supports: SDG3 (health), SDG 7 (affordable and clean energy), SDG 9 (industry innovation), SDG 12 (responsible production and consumption), SDG 13 (climate action), SDG 14 (life below water), SDG 15 (live on land), SDG 17 (partnerships). 

Clean the Air Accelerator is part of the European Solidarity track of the Covid19 Leaders Response Initiative, and is formed to help European businesses take action for a #sustainable future and deliver on #sustainability. We believe in integrating business solutions (and revenue) with community stewardship. We believe in being prepared for new rules and regulations related to carbon and other emissions.

WHAT

We are Clean the Air Accelerator. Our Objectives are:

· Advocacy for business initiatives and actions in emission and carbon footprint management

· Support businesses prepare and respond to new ESG-based business models, green funds and carbon credits

· Act as a platform for next generation leadership in sustainability 

Actioning on cleaner air quality is a complex agenda. Clean the Air Accelerator has the potential to become a business community-based convenor, mediator and information hub on carbon footprint best-practices and guidelines.

The project outcome is to achieve a healthier, cleaner and safer environment beginning in Europe (eventually scaling globally), including promoting:

· Long-term sustainable economic responsibility

· European business solidarity for improving air-quality

· Business responsiveness to improving air-quality

· Knowledge sharing to help business transition to sustainable business models.

HOW

A team consisting of YNGs, YPO-ers and impact officers, assisted by external expert, will provide businesses with the tools to implement clean air strategies by:

· Making Clean the Air fun and inspiring, and using the energy and talents of the next generation business leaders

· Reaching out to Impact Officers and Learning Officers and conduct multi-chapter virtual programs for members interested. 

· Organizing events with policy and industry leaders, subject matter experts and specialists

· Providing European and national legal guidelines on carbon credits, EU green deal and grants to support business in setting-up their strategy

· Showcasing best practices and examples

· Developing an online Clean the Air Quick scan, checklists and proposing tools**** with easy steps for businesses on immediate actions for improving air quality 

· Start local Clean the Air Hubs open for YPO- businesses

2020-2021 Roll-out Goal

1. Develop a multi-chapter YPO Clean the Air Accelerator event, define learning outcomes and engage chapter impact and learning officers, offer a quick scan to discuss potential

2. Recruit bright and bold YNG-ers (develop internships and later jobs)

3. Engage five YPO Chapters to activate impact group’s objectives (we are in contact with Amsterdam, Berlin, London, Geneva, greater Europe)

4. Find min 5 businesses per chapter to start a Hub. Engage in an on boarding process with the representatives of these companies.

5. Develop processes for company roll-out and adopt and integrate Clean the Air best-practice guidelines (beta-testing)

6. Refine and streamline Clean the Air best-practice guidelines and services to meet business needs for a larger roll-out

The team: Dinesh Dhamija, YPO Gold Euro Chapter, former European MP, Internet retail and Solar Energy entrepreneur Veronique Swinkels, YPO Gold Amsterdam Chapter, Impact Officer, Leaders Response Co-Founder, Sustainability Consultant YNG dream team: Rayhan Beebeejaun (sustainability, carbon offsetting), Julian Leue (entrepreneur, open minded and European), Emma Hoch (young, European generation, social impact start-ups) Vasileios Benopoulos (European law, writing, campaign strategy), Giulia Cioli (English and EU law, family business) 

Meet the team: https://leadersresponse.com/european-solidarity

Draft Clean the Air Checklist

(  ) Do the online Clean the Air quick scan to understand potential

( ) Join Clean the Air Accelerator Hub

( ) Start a Clean the Air Project Group in your business, appoint a Clean the Air Champion (leader with executive power) and connect to Management Team

( ) Clean the Air Champion is connected to Industry initiatives and learning communities

( ) Clean the Air Champion is connected to champions from other companies

( ) Start a company wide Clean the Air Challenge and invite each part of the business to come with ideas

( ) There are 2 or 3 pilot projects selected

( ) There is a Clean the Air day every month to discuss next step

( ) CFO knows about Clean the Air funding opportunities and developments in Carbon Credits

( ) Clean the Air is part of the briefing of the Innovation team 

( ) There is a Clean the Air strategy (opportunities and costs)

( ) Clean the Air is part of training and recruitment

( ) There is a Clean the Air Dashboard:

( ) There is a Clean the Air KPI for Transportation

( ) There is a Clean the Air KPI for Energy

( ) There is a Clean the Air KPI for Waste

( ) There is a Clean the Air KPI for use of Toxics

( ) There is a Clean the Air KPI for product life-cycle and end-of-life

( ) more to be defined

( ) CEO/ supervisory board has asked for Clean the Air business opportunities and development go-to-path: Clean the Air Spin-off or start-up. Potential revenue outcome with Clean the Air.

Potential Checklists to Develop

1. Solar Power 2. Wind Power 3. Hydro Power 4. Biomass Power 5. Water Cleaning & Conservation 6. Waste Management 7. Greening Of City Centres & Rooftops 8. Planting Trees 9. Plastic Waste 10. Electric Cars 11. Use Bicycles 12. Trains 13. Electric Boats 14. Toxicfree Farming & Soil Regeneration 15. Moving To Being Vegetarian 16. Green Element In Every Law 17. All Businesses To Have Green Element 18. Reuse-Recycle 19. Food Waste 20. Include Timeframe Future Generations Etc