Much of the information below comes from the report Saving the planet with WEB 2.0: Using web- and mobile tools to generate, support and implement transformative low-carbon solutions.
The first app to be developed of those presented below was the “21st Century Office”. This is an app that helps users save time, money and the planet for example through e-reading, teleworking and teleconferencing. It was a thought leadership project that HP supported through WWF. Scroll to the bottom of the page to find the overview of this app.
The 2.0 version of the “21st Century Office” app, to be launched in April/May, can be counted as a third app as it is totally different compared with the earlier version. This app was developed as a way to demonstrate how user generated content can be the core content of a multifunctional app to support a new way of working in the 21st century.
In progress is an app with the working name “transformative transparency” that will explore the possibilities with augmented reality. The app will link to different databases and explore how groups can collaborate using real-time data and transparency related to the activities of companies (how products have been produced, transported and the environmental and social impacts of the activities, the investments that you will contribute to when you buy the products, the lobbying of the company in different areas, etc).
Transformative Transparency (summer 2012)
Short Description
This app will explore possibilities with augmented reality and real-time access to data about companies by using the camera on the smart phone to scan logos and products.
Key features
> Possibility to see what's behind brands/products
Screenshots of key features
21st Century Office 2.0 (lite)
Short Description
The 21st Century Office 2.0 is a further development of the 1.0 phase of the app during which its content was collected.
The app builds on the opportunity to create an app together with the users (the 1.0 version of the app) and then allow the users, as well as new users, to chose how they want to move towards a 21st Century Office.
Focus is on how users can choose to be nudged in a tailor made way that can create a critical mass for transformative change. By allowing a network of 100 000 change makers (and hopefully more) to start moving in the same direction, but on different paths, systemic changes can hopefully be supported.
Key features
> Nudging of ideas for solutions that help the user, and the office where the user works, to move towards a 21st Century office.
> Tailor made nudging where both the frequency/timing of the nudges as well as the kind of solutions are chosen by the user.
> Tracking the implementation of nudges around the world on a map.
> A code for those that go through all the nudges that will allow two of the first hundred users to collect a prize (the criteria is that they must have who implement more than 40% of the nudges so it is no good just clicking through all the nudges). If things take off we will hand out prizes to every 1000 person.
>> The app is only available for iPhone
Screenshots of key features
Transformative Solutions
Short Description
This app was created to help push transformative solutions up the agenda at COP16 and beyond at Rio+20. This was/is the message in the app:
“Make sure your transformative solution is part of the global climate agenda
Incremental improvements in existing systems are insufficient measures in the battle against climate change.
Many initiatives are well-intended, often in response to government policies, but these small changes will seldom contribute to the creation of a zero carbon society at the speed and scale that is necessary.
There is even a risk that such incremental improvements might further lock society into a high-carbon infrastructure, making necessary reductions difficult or even impossible to achieve.
Fortunately a growing number of companies with transformative solutions now view the creation of a low-carbon economy as a business opportunity rather than as a threat. These solutions deserve attention.
This app is a tool to identify such solutions. At least 300 solutions will be gathered and presented on the occasion of a special Caring for Climate event scheduled to take place on 4-5 October 2010 in Mexico City and later also at the COP16 meeting in Cancun.”
Key features
> Using a service approach to categorize the solutions.
> Cover flow/visual tool for browsing of ideas.
> Feedback regarding the total amount of reductions that the submitted solutions already helped to achieve as well as the potential for 2020.
> Possibility to sort solutions based on rank, CO2 reduction today and 2020 potential as well as the most supported solutions.
> Possibility to comment on the solutions.
> Possibility to upload solutions from any computer or smart phone.
> Possibility in web-version for comparisons between CO2 savings from solutions in relation to countries’ emissions.
>> Download the app from Blackberry appworld (only with a Windows computer)
>> Download the Blackberry app directly
Screenshots of key features
21st Century Office 1.0
Short Description
This is the description from the app:
“It is time to move beyond incremental improvements and tap into the potential that a new generation of technologies provides. The idea with this app is to encourage an accelerated low carbon development. By using this app you, your company and society can save time, money and the planet.
> Test how you work today, are you working in the 20th or 21st century? See if you can improve yourself and challenge friends and colleagues with mails and tweets.
> Use the global network to contribute, rate, use, improve and spread innovative low carbon ideas on how to make change happen. Help create a wiki-database with transformative solutions.
> Understand the significant savings from smart IT solutions thanks to the use of an underlying low carbon infrastructure (compared with old solutions dependent on a high carbon 20th century office infrastructure).
Welcome to the world's first app for a low carbon 21st century office.”
Key features
Key features
> Visualizes the change needed in an interactive manner where the user gets feedback on the habits in four dimensions (how “21st century” the habits are, money saved, time saved and CO2 saved).
> Calculates the CO2 savings from transformative solutions and enables users to see the full savings of their actions, including the consequences for the underlying infrastructure.
>Draws upon crowd-sourcing/wiki-tools to collect, rate and improve, as well as implement best practice ideas.
> Contributes to significant carbon reductions in a way that is inspiring and drives innovation.
> Creates tailor-made solutions that allow for individuals and companies to implement transformative changes based on their unique situation. Instead of general guidelines and "top-ten lists" it is now possible to simulate and design customized paths towards a sustainable future.
> Visualizes the spread of user generated ideas across the globe.
> Provides the possibility to upload solutions from a computer as well as smart phone (iPhone or Android).
>> The app on Android market (or visit website for QR code)