HARNESSING LIVING LABS TO FOSTER OPEN INNOVATION TO SOLVE SUSTAINABILITY CHALLENGES

The complex nature of sustainability challenges requires novel and collaborative approaches to innovation, which bring in wider perspectives, knowledge and talent.  Major companies need validated solutions and technologies that can scale.  Startups need product validation and market access. Academics and standard setting organisations struggle to get access to real world data.  But innovation efforts are fragmented, as are data and evidence on what works in systems of systems.

Living Labs are one model where solutions can be trialled and data gathered in safe ways.  They also enable collaboration between multiple parties – from corporate and startups to the general public.