From super-thin solar panels to the surprising power of seaweed, this year’s Green Economy Forum brought together innovators, investors, and policymakers to explore practical solutions for a sustainable future. Across panels on finance, technology, and nature, one theme emerged clearly: the green transition will demand creativity, collaboration, and bold investment. Here are five standout ideas we overheard—each offering a glimpse of how science, philanthropy, and business are converging to drive real progress toward net zero.

1. Super thin solar panels that can go everywhere

Super thin solar panels represent a promising advancement in renewable energy technology, especially for the UK’s green transition. Unlike traditional rigid panels, these lightweight films can be installed on a wide range of surfaces including building façades, windows, vehicles, rooftops, and even portable devices. Speaking on the panel for Renewable Breakthrough, Sarah Mackintosh, Director of Cleantech for UK, explained how super-thin solar allows for integration into urban environments where space is limited, such as on bus shelters or warehouse roofs, expanding the potential for solar generation beyond large solar farms.

In terms of performance, thin-film panels currently convert around 10–20% of sunlight into electricity, depending on the material used. While this is slightly less efficient than conventional silicon panels, their adaptability and lower production costs make them ideal for widespread use.

However, challenges remain. Thin solar panels tend to degrade faster and are less durable in harsh weather, an important consideration in the UK’s variable climate. Despite this, ongoing research is improving their efficiency and resilience, making them an increasingly vital tool for decentralised, sustainable energy generation across the country.

2. Seaweed as a nature-based solution.

In the final moments of the panel on Nature Finance, speakers were asked to name one nature-based solution that has been ignored and needs further investment. Without missing a beat, Eoin Murray, Chief Investment Officer at Rebalance Earth, exclaimed: “Seaweed! It can be used for everything.”

Seaweed truly offers extraordinary potential as a climate solution. It grows rapidly without the need for freshwater, fertiliser, or land, making it one of the most sustainable biomass resources on Earth. Through photosynthesis, seaweed absorbs significant amounts of carbon dioxide, storing it in plant tissue and, in some cases, sequestering it long-term when parts sink to the deep ocean. Estimates suggest that large-scale seaweed farming could capture hundreds of millions of tonnes of CO₂ annually if properly managed.

Beyond carbon capture, seaweed supports marine biodiversity, reduces ocean acidification, and can be used as a feed additive to cut methane emissions from livestock. It also serves as a renewable source of biofuel, bioplastics, fertilisers, and even food, contributing to a circular, low-carbon economy.

3. The unique powers of climate philanthropy

Climate philanthropy holds a unique and transformative power in the global effort to tackle climate change. As Kieron Boyle, Chief Executive at 100x, aptly put it, “Somehow, we pull off this hat trick of overestimating philanthropy and underestimating it. We underestimate it because it does things no other capital can do. Essentially, unless there is a short-term financial return, many projects won’t get funding. That is where philanthropy can be powerful.”

Philanthropic capital can take risks that neither governments nor private investors are willing to take. It can support early-stage innovation, community-led projects, and experimental solutions that may not yet offer commercial returns but have the potential for significant long-term impact. By funding feasibility studies, pilot programmes, or critical research, philanthropy helps “de-risk” climate projects, making them more attractive to mainstream investors later on.

4. Why Nestlé cares about oyster farms

Food companies are increasingly investing in oyster bed restoration projects in the UK as part of a growing recognition that healthy marine ecosystems are vital to their supply chains. Oysters act as natural water filters. Each one can clean up to 200 litres of seawater a day by removing pollutants and improving water quality for fish and other marine life. This ecosystem service underpins the sustainability of seafood supplies, a critical resource for many food producers.

For companies like Nestlé Purina, which relies on fish for pet food, supporting oyster restoration is both an environmental and economic investment. Cleaner waters mean more resilient fisheries and healthier supply chains. These projects also generate measurable ecosystem benefits that can create new revenue streams through carbon or biodiversity credits. Ultimately, oyster reefs demonstrate how nature restoration can deliver both climate resilience and business value.

5. Biochar is incredible and needs more investment

Biochar is a charcoal-like substance produced by heating organic waste such as wood, crop residues, or manure at high temperatures in low-oxygen conditions. When buried in soil, biochar locks away carbon that would otherwise return to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide, making it one of the most promising carbon removal technologies available today.

Beyond carbon storage, biochar improves soil health by enhancing nutrient retention, water absorption, and microbial activity. It can boost agricultural productivity while reducing the need for chemical fertilisers, which are major sources of greenhouse gas emissions. Studies suggest that, if scaled globally, biochar could sequester up to a billion tonnes of CO₂ annually, equivalent to the emissions of hundreds of millions of cars.

However, despite its potential, biochar remains underfunded and underused. The technology requires greater investment in infrastructure, research, and monitoring to ensure high-quality carbon credits and sustainable production. With targeted financial support, biochar could play a critical role in achieving net-zero targets.