Gunter Pauli has a dream. The Belgian economist and entrepreneur has a plan to develop 100 manufacturing innovations with viable business models that could generate 100 million jobs in 10 years. All with zero emissions and no waste.

He calls it “The Blue Economy” with innovations covering the full gamut of industrial activity, from energy to mining, from medicine to banking … all of it inspired by science and biometrics. And Pauli isn’t all talk … there’s plenty of action in the many startup-style projects around the globe funded by his organisation Zero Emissions Research and Initiative, which is now a global network.

Memorable achievements include recycling coffee waste for mushroom farming, making biodegradable detergent from discarded citrus peel, and the conversion of petrol stations into ‘charge stations’ for electric cars.

Last month we presented a talk with Gunter Pauli at Sydney University together with Sydney Ideas  titled: The Blue Economy: 10 Years, 100 Innovations, 100 Million Jobs.

WATCH Gunter Pauli’s talk here.

About the speakers:

Gunter Pauli was born in Antwerp, Belgium. His entrepreneurial activities span business, culture, science, politics and the environment. He founded Zero Emissions Research Initiative (ZERI) and the subsequent Global ZERI Network which uses science and publicly available information to find and develop sustainable business solutions. Serving clients from remote communities to major corporations, solutions are inspired by what is locally available, building on local knowledge and culture. Pauli has been visiting lecturer and professor at universities around the world, and a board member of NGOs and private companies in Asia, USA and Latin America. Since 2009, he has taken responsibility for the design of an economic development concept based on GNH (Gross National Happiness) principles and values as part of his advisory role in designing an economic development strategy for Bhutan. Pauli has published 19 books and 36 fables bringing science and emotions to children. He is fluent in seven languages and has lived in four continents.

Ian Dunlop is a Fellow at the Centre for Policy Development and a contributing author to their latest book, “More Than Luck: Ideas Australia Needs Now”. He is Chairman of Safe Climate Australia and chaired the Australian Greenhouse Office Experts Group on Emissions Trading from 1998-2000.

WATCH Gunter Pauli’s talk here.