The World Congress on Zero Emissions Initiatives, Launching “The Blue Economy,” will focus on the design of an economic system driven by innovations, generating jobs, and building social capital.

They will be releasing one innovation a week on their website, so you can continue to interact with the ideas presented at the Congress all year long. The introduction is here, along with links to all the innovations currently posted.

Here’s more from the Zero Emissions website:

The Blue Economy is based upon one hundred plus breakthroughs in businesses that have proven their competitiveness. The innovations being addressed at the World Congress are related to Energy, Food, Health, Housing, Transportation, Water and Waste, and how these innovations integrate and provide new job opportunities in today’s changing world. Concrete case studies from around the world will inspire entrepreneurs to follow suit.

This event featured several recognized speakers, including:

PROFESSOR GUNTER PAULI
Author, innovator, founder of ZERI (Zero Emissions Research and Initiatives)

TOMOYO NONAKA
Chairman GAIA Initiative
Former CEO of Sanyo

HIS EXCELLENCY, THE HONORABLE MINISTER OF EDUCATION, LYONPO THAKUR S. POWDYEL
Royal Government of Bhutan

NAINOA THOMPSON
Executive Director, Polynesian Voyaging Society
Native Hawaiian Master Navigator

One of the most discussed features of this event (and a first for us at the Hawai`i Convention Center!) was that we offered 100% “locally sourced” meals – meaning all food served to the delegates was grown and made right here in Hawai`i. As you can imagine, this is not an easy task for our island archipelago in the middle of the Pacific, or the “piko of the Universe” as we often call it. Piko is the Hawaiian word for belly button. Next time you look at the earth, see if you don’t recognize us. :-)

There were many memorable sessions with noted international speakers, including “talk-story” sessions for eight hundred (800) local elementary, secondary, and high school students. They discussed ways to protect the environment and help eliminate waste with Professor Gunter Pauli, founder of the Zero Emissions Research and Initiatives organization.

We are proud that our city and state are frequently ranked among the cleanest cities in which to live and work, making the Hawaii Convention Center an ideal location for any event that wants to be eco-friendly and provide a healthy, green environment to their delegates. In March, 2010, Honolulu was ranked third in a USA “green city” index.

This event was produced by Enterprise Honolulu.