- Europe Day on 9th May sees the launch of EIB’s 360° Quest for Climate Solutions campaign highlighting impactful projects to increase climate resilience across the European Union, including in Spain
- Climate action is among the EIB's top priorities, translating to close to half of all investments in Spain
- New immersive video experiences also with Spanish subtitles showcase two key climate change research projects in the country
Combating climate change remains amongst one of the biggest global challenges. For the sixth year in a row, the EU bank increased its finance for projects that contribute to climate action and environmental sustainability, including in Spain, where 43% (€3.897 billion) of all lending in the country in 2021 was allocated to green projects.
For Europe Day, the climate bank of the European Union, the European Investment Bank, is launching a 360 degree video experience that invites European citizens to visit virtually some of these climate projects for themselves. The episode from Spain enables viewers to experience how Internet of Things (IoT) is revolutionising safety in remote areas in Catalonia in the context of climate change.
The EIB 360° Quest for Climate Solutions is an interactive, free platform on the EIB website where viewers can embark on virtual journeys to visit ground-breaking projects that are making a difference in the fight against climate change in Europe. Filmed with state-of-the-art 360° cameras in some of Europe’s most stunning scenery, these short videos are presented by the EIB’s reporter, who interviews top scientists, engineers, and experts on site. So, far the series has covered projects in Greece, Portugal and Spain.
In the episode “Sensors for Safety” the European Investment Bank’s 360° video crew takes viewers on a journey into the rugged Pyrenees mountains of Spain, to learn about a remote sensing system that is bringing a new degree of safety and resilience to an isolated stretch of track where a rockslide derailed a train earlier this year. Recognising the potential of this new technology, the EIB is supporting research and development by the Barcelona based company Worldsensing in the hope of extending the lifespan of infrastructure and adapting to the weather extremes of climate change.
Ricardo Mourinho Félix, European Investment Bank Vice-President said: “EIB strongly supports Spain’s ambitious climate goals, in line with national strategies to meet the Paris Agreement targets. The Covid crisis and the war in Ukraine have made climate mitigation and adaptation and sustainable recovery even more relevant. The new 360° Quest for Climate Solutions helps viewers embark on virtual journeys. To visit ground-breaking projects, including Worldsensing, that make the difference in the fight against climate change. This innovative approach helps to bring EIB climate action projects closer to EU citizens.”
“The EIB’s support has been critical in helping us to scale our operations and address the growing challenge that climate change poses to infrastructure in Spain and elsewhere in Europe,” said Ignasi Vilajosana, Chief Executive Officer at Worldsensing.
“We are delighted to have been featured in the Bank’s EIB 360º video series, bringing to life one of our landmark rail projects in Spain.”
Background information
About EIB 360
The EIB 360° Quest for Climate Solutions is an interactive, free platform on the EIB website where viewers can embark on virtual journeys to visit groundbreaking projects that are making a difference in the fight against climate change in Europe. Filmed with state-of-the-art 360° cameras in some of Europe’s most stunning scenery, these short videos are presented by an EIB reporter, who interviews top scientists, engineers, experts and eco-conscious entrepreneurs on the ground. So far, the series has covered projects in Greece, Spain, and Portugal. Viewers gain a new perspective on innovative solutions to the climate crisis as well as cutting-edge climate research. The 360° camera work makes it possible for viewers to immerse themselves in these beautiful and remote locations – being able to look in all directions – as they follow our reporter. The episodes are in English, with subtitled versions are available in the language of each location. An interactive map of Europe allows viewers to enter each 360° experience with a simple click of a mouse.
Worldsensing
Worldsensing is a global IoT pioneer. Founded in 2008, the industrial monitoring expert works with over 270 engineering partners in more than 60 countries to provide safety through critical infrastructure monitoring in mining, construction, rail and structural health. The company is a member of the EIT RawMaterials, initiated and funded by the EIT (European Institute of Innovation and Technology), a body of the European Union, and has recently joined the European Raw Materials Alliance. Worldsensing has more than 80 employees and offices in Barcelona, London, Los Angeles and Singapore and investors include Cisco Systems, Mitsui & Co, McRock Capital and ETF Partners, among others.