Belgrade has introduced an innovative tool called the “liquid tree” to combat air pollution. This urban photo-bioreactor was developed by Dr Ivan Spasojevic and his team from the Institute for Multidisciplinary Research at the University of Belgrade. The LIQUID 3 uses microalgae to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality by binding carbon dioxide and producing pure oxygen through photosynthesis.
The LIQUID 3 is more efficient than trees, replacing two 10-year-old trees or 200 square meters of lawn. Its function is similar to trees and grass, but microalgae can survive in polluted environments where trees cannot. The LIQUID 3 is intended to fill urban spaces where planting trees is impossible without replacing forests or existing tree planting plans.
The LIQUID 3, located in a busy urban area where CO2 emissions are high, serves as a bench, has chargers for mobile phones, and a solar panel that provides lighting at night. The project aims to popularize and expand the use of microalgae in Serbia, which can be used in wastewater treatment, as compost, for producing biomass and biofuels, and for air purification.
The LIQUID 3 was awarded as one of the 11 best innovative and climate-smart solutions by the Climate Smart Urban Development project, created by the UNDP, and the Ministry of Environmental Protection and sponsored by the Global Environment Facility (GEF). By promoting climate-smart urban development, we can engage the public and businesses to create innovative solutions for climate change mitigation that will benefit society and the environment.