Green technologies offer huge potential for increased productivity, resource efficiency and innovation. Eco-inclusive enterprises which apply green technologies significantly contribute to climate change mitigation and economic and social inclusion. GFL supports enterprises who use information and communication technologies to share agronomic practices and extend access to financing, develop e-commerce markets for sustainable consumption and transport, process agricultural waste into energy sources for heating and cooking, produce biodegradable goods such as plates from natural fibres, deliver mobile classroom infrastructure to communities and more.

Affordable and reliable clean energy for all is essential to social and economic development, public health, and the mitigation of climate change. The activities of GFL-supported enterprises in the energy sector promote resource efficient and renewable energy solutions that equip energy-deprived communities with off-grid and low-carbon technologies. These enterprises revolutionise cooking, heating and electrification solutions through the use of innovative production, financing and distribution models – often in partnership with cooperatives, local-level micro-entrepreneurs and others.

Hunger eradication, adequate nutrition and food security depend on the adoption of sustainable agriculture solutions with clear social and environmental targets. GFL-supported enterprises deliver entrepreneurial solutions to improve the agricultural sector’s resource efficiency and crop yields while ensuring that communities are able to adapt to climate change. Exemplary GFL-supported enterprises cultivate indigenous and nutritious crops, manufacture environmentally friendly fertilisers, deliver real-time market insights and training services using accessible technology and more.

Natural climate solutions (NCS) are proven ways of reducing carbon emissions and storing them in the world’s forests, grasslands and wetlands.

• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), related to land use.
• Capturing and storing additional CO2 from the atmosphere, and maintaining its flow into existing sinks.
• Improving the resilience and adaptation possibilities of ecosystems, and so helping communities adjust to the increases in flooding and dry spells of our changing climate.

Nature-based solutions are estimated to have the potential to lift a billion people out of poverty; create 80 million jobs; add an additional $2.3 trillion of growth to the global economy, and also prevent $3.7 trillion of climate change damages.

From waste reduction to collection, recycling and upcycling, GFL supports enterprises in the waste management sector in order to innovate closed-loop business models that gather and repurpose materials.

Safe water and adequate sanitation for all are central to public health, economic prosperity and environmental sustainability. GFL supports enterprises in the water, sanitation and health (WASH) sector designing products and services that support healthy and sustainable livelihoods through improved water security and greater access to adequate sanitation facilities.

The key qualifying criteria for Sustainable Transport as sustainable infrastructure is its contribution towards sustainable development. Therefore, any transport infrastructure that limits the effectiveness of the steps being taken for sustainable development does not ordinarily qualify as sustainable transport systems. GFL-supported enterprises deliver entrepreneurial solutions to improve projects often characterised by a) increased transportation-related carbon emissions, b) lower energy efficiency, and promotion of greater use of fossil fuels in the transportation sector, c) increased water and noise pollution and impacts on ecosystems, d) design limitations that do not take into account environmentally sustainable practices and materials, and e) disregard the access requirements for pedestrians, bicycles, people with disabilities or older adults. Such transport projects are not typically classifiable as sustainable infrastructure projects.

MSMEs make up a large part of local economies and communities, and building resilience to future shocks is essential to protecting local incomes and long-term employment for communities. Enterprise resilience is an indispensable characteristic that sees MSMEs be prepared for the unknown, and deal with drops in demand, medium to long-term business model disruptions, and substantial loss of income and livelihood.