Suncorp team develops cool idea for hot topic


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A Suncorp team’s winning idea to transform bus shelters into heatwave-friendly eco-shelters has seen them emerge as co-winners of Climathon Sydney 2019.

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Suncorp team develops cool idea for hot topic

Our Suncorp people joined 13 other teams of innovators from various backgrounds to address the heatwave challenges facing Sydney. 

The event was one of 140 Climathon events taking place across 56 countries in the largest ever global climate hackathon to accelerate action on climate change.

As a partner of Climate-KIC, Suncorp pulled together a diverse team who used their product design skills to create a solution that encouraged people to continue using public transport through heatwaves.

The concept proposed modular features like a weather station, green roof, drinking water, solar power and even a water mister be retrofitted onto existing infrastructure to keep commuters 4°C cooler and reduce risks of dehydration and heat stroke.

James Black from Suncorp’s winning team said it was rewarding to work with and hear from like-minded people passionate about improving our community’s resilience to weather events like heatwaves. 

“It’s very powerful to think about people all around the world taking action right now, and to be part of that,” he said.

Sydney’s exposure to heatwaves is increasing, with the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting Greater Western Sydney to experience 37 days over 35 degrees in 2020.

The team now has priority access to Climate-KIC’s entrepreneurship program for green business ideas to help them refine and accelerate their solution. They also have the chance to be selected to attend the Global Climathon Awards in Paris in 2020.

Read more on Suncorp's climate change action plan

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