Towards A Sustainable Future: How Some KIC Start-ups Are Championing Eco-friendly Innovations | Science & Environment

As the world faces the escalating threats of climate change, the call for innovative solutions and decisive action grows louder. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), global temperatures have risen by approximately 1.2°C since pre-industrial times, with devastating impacts on weather patterns, sea levels, and biodiversity. 

Closer to home, Ghana has experienced a 1°C rise in average temperatures over the past 15 years, contributing to more frequent and severe floods. These alarming statistics underscore the urgent need for robust climate action and sustainable development.

As the world grapples with the pressing challenges of climate change and environmental degradation, some players in the agricultural space are stepping up to play a crucial role in driving sustainable innovation and climate action.

Through pioneering sustainable technologies these businesses are not only mitigating their environmental impact but also setting new benchmarks.

Interestingly, some agricultural startups that participated in the AgriTech Challenge Pro for 2024 under the Kosmos Innovation Center (KIC) have developed eco-friendly solutions that are safeguarding the environment.

Among the many trailblazers,  GreenHeart SE ( Koforidua Technical University) is another force to reckon with in the area of sustainable innovation and climate action. Transforming organic biomass waste into carbon negative agricultural inputs, GreenHeart SE pioneers offer sustainable solutions for a greener tomorrow. With a commitment to environmental stewardship, the transformative power of biochar is harnessed to revolutionize agriculture and beyond. From innovative biochar-based fertilizers to animal feed enhancers and wood vinegar, a host of eco-friendly products are manufactured to nourish soils and animals, boost yields, and promote healthier ecosystems. Gradually, GreenHeart SE is leading the charge towards a world where environmental harmony and agricultural prosperity go hand in hand.

According to the Organisation for Economic Corporation and Development (OECD), the production, conversion and waste management of plastics generate about 4% of total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Of these, 90% can be attributed to the production and conversion stage of the plastics lifecycle. Seeking to save the planet by eliminating plastic food packaging as much as possible, Husk Pack Ghana continues to take pride in the manufacture of take-away packs using rice husk. This invention has taken take-away packaging to another level, infusing it with sustainable innovation. Offering durability without compromising on the environment, these ecofriendly take-away packs are one meal at a time, eliminating plastic waste for a greener tomorrow.

For FreshLine Post Harvest Solutions (Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology) an Agri-food start-up,  championing zero production waste, mitigating excessive farm-level losses and promoting traditional food systems will help promote environmental sustainability. The team focuses on efficient farm-to-fork solutions, leveraging climate smart technologies and localized user-friendly solutions to bring impactful post-harvest intervention to small holder horticultural farmers in Ghana, contributing to food security, reducing farm level losses and fostering sustainable food production and consumptions.

Greenhusk Innovations, (University for Development Studies) produces paper using corn husks thereby channeling a by-product of agriculture into solving a major global concern.

Commenting on these initiatives, Executive Director of KIC Benjamin Gyan-Kesse called for continued investment in sustainable technologies to safeguard the environment.

“By investing in sustainable technologies within the agricultural value chain, we’re not only protecting our environment, but also driving economic growth for young people. It is our responsibility to innovate for a greener, more sustainable world for generations to come,” he said.