At the 2026 Acceleration Week for Global Youth Development Programs, Spanish social entrepreneur Mónica Gilarranz Alba presented an imaginative, innovative green solution: integrating air-purifying capabilities into everyday clothing, effectively turning the daily act of getting dressed into a contribution toward environmental improvement.

Mónica Gilarranz Alba is the founder of Awesome Planet S.L. and the Greener sustainable fashion project. Her background includes working as a climate change consultant for water utility companies, where she managed initiatives related to climate change.

Driven by a long-standing concern for climate change and the future of our planet, Mónica has consistently sought practical, actionable ways to make a tangible impact. She eventually focused on an aspect of daily life that is frequent yet often overlooked: the clothes we wear. Her vision is for the simple morning ritual of choosing an outfit to become more than just a habit—to become a step toward better air quality.

The Greener sustainable fashion project aims to bridge the gap between innovative technology, sustainability, and ethical fashion. It is the world’s first clothing brand capable of eliminating greenhouse gases, viruses, and bacteria from the air. The fibers used in the garments are derived from natural materials and undergo a special treatment that allows them to break down air pollutants, viruses, and bacteria. As the clothing is worn, the fibers actively remove carbon dioxide and harmful airborne particles, neutralizing pollutants and returning cleaner air to the wearer’s immediate environment.

For Mónica, the green transition must be rooted in concrete action. Taking Madrid — a city of approximately 3 million people and one of the most air-polluted urban centers in Spain — as an example: if one-fifth of its residents were to wear these air-purifying garments, it could reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 42.35 tons annually, while simultaneously eliminating toxic gases such as nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Currently, the products are available across Europe, the United States, and parts of Latin America, with physical retail locations in two multi-brand stores in Madrid. The project also plans to launch a custom apparel service for businesses, incorporating air-purifying fabrics into workwear to expand the utility of these garments into a wider range of settings. Mónica noted that the World Youth Development Forum offered a fantastic opportunity to meet outstanding young people from various countries and to promote her green transition project. It served as an excellent platform to raise awareness about the importance of air purification.