Xplora and Collectia in Lebanon: Our biggest sustainability project
Collectia is the main sponsor of Xplora's project 'Net Zero' in Lebanon, where together we will help the local population to better living conditions by establishing sustainable energy sources in a country deeply affected by the current energy crisis and weakened national economy.
Xplora is already on the ground in Lebanon to kick-start the biggest sustainable project in its history!
"This is something that will be bigger than ourselves"says Alexander Reitan, Project Manager at Xplora, who made the trip to Beirut.
In the darkened streets of a city largely kept running by dirty diesel generators, Xplora has now laid the foundations for a global project to help make the world a better place. Together with United Cities and their partners, they will engage their members to reach the UN goal of building infrastructure and providing green energy in 10,000 cities by 2030.
We need your help!
Through Xplora's activity platform, Goplay, we want to activate both local people and children around the world to contribute to sustainable change.
Every step you and your children take will be converted into a value that will ultimately transform cities around the world into catalysts for a better and greener future for all of us!
The project will start in Lebanon, where a selection of cities will pilot the implementation of the United Cities program.
Crisis-hit Lebanon lacks electricity. The lack of electricity and a weakened national economy make living conditions extremely difficult.
A vicious circle
The selected cities will have the opportunity to build a sustainable energy supply with new photovoltaic installations to meet the demand for green electricity. This will not only meet the high demand for green power, but also provide the basis for better healthcare, education, food production and transportation.
"Lebanon is in the midst of both an energy crisis and an economic crisis. The country only has electricity for two hours a day. They use diesel generators to produce enough energy for daily life. But this is not a long-term solution. The country has an inflation rate of almost 90 percent and there is no way to break out of this vicious circle". says Reitan.
Wanting to bring about change
We can imagine what it is like to live in such conditions. Hospitals, schools, working life and politics suffer. Change is necessary. First and foremost for the local population, but also for the world as a whole. We are all in the same boat.
We want to contribute to the knowledge of the local population and to a process that allows them to change the current situation. We want them to be able to build on our efforts afterwards. This is work that does not happen overnight. That is why we are ready for a long race, where we invite children and parents with the Xplora watch and app, partners and not least the locals in the cities, to create a change. All you have to do is be active and donate your steps.
Information, knowledge and education. These are the cornerstones of this project.
"People need to get involved and we need to work together. The international community has a social responsibility. We want to build a partnership between local people and all of us. Together we are strong. Xplora plays an important role here and we want to make history. We hope that many people will join us in supporting this work," says Reitan.
Global cooperation
Together with local businesses, policy makers, university representatives and United Cities, agreements and progress will be made in the sustainability project "Net Zero in 12 months". Thanks to new photovoltaic installations, an entire city should become carbon neutral in one year!
"We want to set a world record. This pilot project will be extended to a number of cities around the world," Reitan enthuses.
Xplora, together with United Cities and Collectia, aims to develop a digital and social platform to engage, inspire and inform a much wider audience than just locals.
Through activity campaigns, Xplora will empower people around the world to turn physical activity into humanitarian work.
"The long-term benefits of the project will come from the solar cells, which will be a new source of renewable energy. The current unsustainable solutions need to be phased out. Those involved in the project will help those who currently lack access to a better life, knowledge and education to act sustainably. Ultimately, it is about long-term and sustainable solutions. We achieve this through the use of new technologies, collaboration between governments, business and the scientific community, and the involvement of people around the world. Together with people and companies who understand that we MUST move to sustainable solutions, we will change the world," says Reitan.
